CYTOKINE CONTENTS IN Th1- AND Th17-TYPE LYMPHOCYTES IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Abstract

We studied cytokine profiles relevant to the Th1 and Th17 modes of immune response in 116 patients with mild, moderate and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Relative contents of Th1- and Th17-type lymphocytes were evaluated by serum levels of specific cytokines: TNFα, IL-6, IL-10,IL-17A, IL-21, IFNγ, TGF-β1. We found that the shift in balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines is typical to both Th1 and Th17 immune response types in COPD of different severity. The variety of immune response types was achieved due to activation of different effector cells. I.e., the Th1 response was associated with macrophage activation and IFNγ induction, whereas domination of Th17 response was accompanied by activation of neutrophils, and increased synthesis of IL-17, IL-21. The Th17 type of immune response was shown to prevail in severe COPD. Thus, the certain types of immune disorders in COPD presume application of combined therapy including immunocorrective drugs which are able to suppress inflammation and correct the cytokine imbalances.

Keywords

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• t helpers
• th1
• th17 type
• cytokines
• immunе regulation