Abstract
Background:
Lacrimal gland enlargement (LGE) is one of the characteristics of Mikulicz's disease (MD). Recently, marked serum IgG4 elevation and infiltration of IgG4-positive plasmacytes in the enlarged exocrine glands have been reported in MD patients. However, little is known about the role of CD4+ T cells and their cytokines in IgG4-related diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of CD4+ T cells in patients with IgG4-related diseases.
Methods:
We investigated the clinical characteristics of 9 patients with LGE and elevated serum IgG4 levels (named IgG4-related LGE). We also examined mRNA expression of cytokines and transcription factors of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in patients with IgG4-related LGE.
Results:
All patients with IgG4-related LGE showed elevated serum IgE levels. In addition, 5 of 9 patients with IgG4-related LGE exhibited eosinophilia and asthma-like symptoms. In patients with IgG4-related LGE, mRNA expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and GATA-3 but not IFN-gamma or T-bet was enhanced on CD4+ T cells compared with that in healthy controls.
Conclusions:
Th2 cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of IgG4-related diseases.
(c) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adrenergic beta-Agonists / administration & dosage
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Adrenergic beta-Agonists / pharmacology
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Adult
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Aged
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Allergens / immunology
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Asthma / blood
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Asthma / metabolism
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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Eosinophils / cytology
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Female
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Forced Expiratory Volume / drug effects
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Forced Expiratory Volume / physiology
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GATA3 Transcription Factor / genetics
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Gene Expression / genetics
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Gene Expression / immunology
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Humans
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Hypertrophy / immunology
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Hypertrophy / metabolism
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Hypertrophy / pathology
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Immunoglobulin E / blood
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Immunoglobulin E / immunology
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Immunoglobulin G / blood*
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Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
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Interleukin-10 / genetics
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Interleukin-13 / genetics
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Interleukin-4 / genetics
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Interleukin-5 / genetics
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Interleukins / genetics
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Lacrimal Apparatus / pathology*
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Leukocyte Count
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Plasma Cells / metabolism
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Plasma Cells / pathology
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Respiratory Sounds / diagnosis
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Respiratory Sounds / drug effects
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Th2 Cells / immunology*
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Th2 Cells / metabolism
Substances
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Adrenergic beta-Agonists
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Allergens
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GATA3 Transcription Factor
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GATA3 protein, human
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IL10 protein, human
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IL4 protein, human
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IL5 protein, human
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Immunoglobulin G
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Interleukin-13
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Interleukin-5
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Interleukins
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Interleukin-10
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Interleukin-4
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Immunoglobulin E
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interleukin-21