Anti-inflammatory plasma cytokines in children and adolescents with Down syndrome

Abstract

Cytokines participate in many physiological processes including the regulation of immune and inflammatoryresponses. Production of some important cytokines in children with Down syndrome (DS) is depressed or increased . In thisstudy we analysed the selected anti- inflammatory cytokines: interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-13(IL-13) in plasma of children and adolescents with DS. The study group consisted of 20 patients with Down syndrome and33 healthy subjects at the age of 5-17 years. Levels of: IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 in plasma samples were determined by specificenzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques according to manufacturer's instructions. IL-4 wasdetectable in 25% subjects with Down syndrome and in 28.6% healthy subjects. IL-13 was detectable in 15% patients withDown syndrome and in 15.2% healthy subjects, respectively. IL-10 was detectable in 1 of 20 patients with Down syndromeand in 2 of 33 healthy subjects only. No significant correlations between measurable cytokine levels and age and genderwere found. No significant increased concentration of selected anti- inflammatory cytokines were detected.

Keywords

• Down syndrome
• children
• cytokines
• interleukin-4
• interleukin-10
• interleukin-13