Th1 and Th2 cytokines in a patient with Evans' syndrome and profound lymphopenia

Br J Haematol. 2000 Sep;110(4):968-70. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2000.02296.x.

Abstract

A case of Evans' syndrome with IgM deficiency and lymphopenia was studied before and after splenectomy. The lymphopenia was as a result of profound reduction of CD4 and CD8 cells. Study of cytokine secretion before splenectomy revealed a spontaneous Th1- and Th2-type cytokine production, and complete suppression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. After splenectomy, the patient achieved clinical remission, the natural killer (NK) cell number increased and the pattern of cytokine production showed normalization of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, TGF-beta and abolition of interferon (IFN)-gamma production. We conclude that splenectomy had a beneficial effect owing to an increase in NK cells and an associated increase in TGF-beta production.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / immunology*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / surgery
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Child
  • Cytokines / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / deficiency*
  • Interferon-gamma / analysis
  • Interleukin-10 / analysis
  • Interleukin-2 / analysis
  • Interleukin-4 / analysis
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Lymphopenia / immunology*
  • Lymphopenia / surgery
  • Male
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / immunology*
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / surgery
  • Splenectomy
  • Syndrome
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / analysis

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Interleukin-2
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma