REGULATION OF CYTOKINE PRODUCTION OF HUMA N T-LYMPHOCYTES IN THE ALLERGIC IMMUNE-RESPONSE

A network of cytokines regulates the growth and function of the cells of the immune system. T cells possess a dominant role in this network since they are the main source of many cytokines. The production of di fferent cytokines is specifically regulated by means of cell interacti ons and cytokines and depends largely on the state of differentiation of the T cell. The production of certain cytokines is, therefore, rest ricted to defined subpopulations of T cells. IL2, IL4, IL5, IL10, IL12 and Interferon gamma (IFN gamma) play a central role in allergic immu ne response. The production of these cytokines can be restricted to sp ecialized T cells. Two different types of differentiated T cells can b e characterised according to the pattern of cytokine production of T c ells: IL2 and IFN gamma are typically produced by T helper 1 (Th 1) ce lls, whereas predominantly T helper 2 (Th2) cells produce IL4, IL5 and IL10. The selective activitation of either Th 1 or Th 2 type cells de pends on the antigen and is influenced by cytokines produced partly by antigen-presenting cells and partly by T helper cells. Typically, all ergens induce an immune response which is dominated by Th 2 cells. The se cells then stimulate the production of IgE by B cells.