S. Daher et al., INTERLEUKIN-4 AND SOLUBLE CD23 SERUM LEVELS IN ASTHMATIC ATOPIC CHILDREN, Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology, 5(5), 1995, pp. 251-254
IL-4 is an essential mediator of IgE synthesis; it also upregulates th
e expression of the low affinity receptor for IgE (CD23) and its relea
se in soluble form (sCD23). The involvement of IL-4 and sCD23 on the I
gE synthesis control has been observed in experimental studies. IL-4 a
nd sCD23 serum levels in asthmatic atopic children were determined in
order to investigate a possible correlation between these factors and
IgE levels. IL-4, total sCD23 and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus speci
fic IgE were determined in the serum of 19 asthmatic atopic children (
aged 7 to 14) and in 13 age-matched controls. Since sCD23 may present
an age-dependent variation, sCD23 and IL-4 serum levels were evaluated
in 20 ''wheezy babies.'' IL-4 serum levels were significantly higher
in patients as compared to controls, whereas there was no significant
difference between them concerning sCD23 levels. sCD23 levels were, ho
wever, significantly higher among ''wheezy babies'' as compared to ato
pic and nonatopic children. There was no correlation between IL-4 and
sCD23 serum levels, nor between any of these factors and IgE levels in
all groups. In conclusion, the enhanced IL-4 levels suggest that atop
ic patients have a preferential activation of Th2 subset. CD23 express
ion is markedly influenced by age.