Abstract
Background-aim of the study. Interferon gamma has heen believed to play an important role in the development of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). A significant reduction of interferon-gamma acts as an inhibitor of collagen synthesis. Thus we studied the presence of interferon gamma on the surface and in the cytoplasm of T lymphocytes. Experimental design. A FACS scan evaluation of interferon gamma on the surface and in the cytoplasm of T lymphocytes was performed by means of the new monoclonal IgMB-14. Subsidiarily CD3, CD4, CD16 (NK), CD19, CD25 (anti-rIL2), CD71 (anti-rTr), anti-HLA-DR and circulating anti-human interferon-gamma natural antibodies were evaluated in fresh blood-serum. Environment: the availability of a to-date properly fitted immunology laboratory is mandatory. Patients. Eight patients, 6 females, 2 males (mean age 62 years; SD 5,6) affected with PSS. 8 healthy women (control). Results. Normal CD4/CD8 ratio, CD3 reduction. HLA-DR and NK increase. Clear-cut increase of interferon gamma in and on T-lymphocytes. Increase of circulating anti-human interferon gamma antibodies. Conclusions. Our results confirm an overall activation of the immune system in PSS patients. High interferon-gamma levels can be referred to such an activation. This lymphokine does not seem quantitatively reduced so far; nevertheless it could be reduced in functional terms through a putative influence of high anti-human gamma antibody levels.
| Translated title of the contribution | Does interferon-gamma play a role in the pathogenesis of progressive systemic sclerosis? |
|---|---|
| Original language | Italian |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-5 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia |
| Volume | 130 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1995 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology