SERUM IGE LEVELS AND IN-VITRO PRODUCTION OF IL-2, IL-4, AND IFN-GAMMAIN CHILDREN WITH DOWNS-SYNDROME

In nine children and one young adult with Down's syndrome (DS), lympho cyte phenotype, total serum IgE levels, and in vitro mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) plus phorbo l myristate acetate (PMA) and human recombinant interleukin-2 (hrIL2), and production of interleukin-2 (IL2), interleukin-4 (IL4), and inter feron-gamma (IFN gamma) were evaluated. The results showed a normal PB MC proliferative response to mitogens and a normal in vitro production of IL4 and IFN gamma, while IL2 production was significantly decrease d (p < 0.05). CD8+ cells were significantly increased (p < 0.01) and i n five of eight patients with DS the IgE serum levels were lower than those in normal controls. IL4 production was lower in patients with DS with low IgE levels than in those with normal levels of serum IgE.