Іmbalance between il-2, il-4 and ifn-γ as a marker of sustainability of partly controlled asthma in children

Abstract

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood and adulthood. The pathogenetic mechanism of asthma is closely related to the functioning of cytokines. The aim of our study was to improve the knowledge on the assessment of cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, interferon-gamma) in the formation of chronic inflammation in children with partially controlled asthma. The study included 94 children who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The groups were formed depending on the severity of persistent asthma: 59 children with mild asthma - group 1; 10 children with moderate asthma - group 2; 12 children with severe asthma - group 3; 13 children from the control group - group 4. Cytokines were examined in children's serum using specific kits. IL-2, IL-4, and interferon-gamma were measured by a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The study revealed the following data: all children with asthma had elevated levels of IL-2, IL-4 and reduced levels of interferon-gamma in the blood serum compared to the control group. The highest serum levels of IL-2, IL-4 and lowest IFN-γ were observed in patients with severe asthma. The correlation between cytokines and disease duration suggests that IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ may be considered as markers of chronic inflammation. The cytokine profile in children with persistent asthma in the exacerbation stage is characterised by elevated levels of IL-2 and IL-4 and decreased levels of IFN-γ in the blood serum. The data from our clinical study may lead us to the conclusion that there is an imbalance in the Th-1/Th-2 system.