TH1 TH2 CYTOKINE PROFILES IN THE NASOPHARYNGEAL LYMPHOID-TISSUES OF CHILDREN WITH RECURRENT OTITIS-MEDIA/

The cytokine profile in adenoidal lymphoid tissue was studied in 22 pa tients. Lymphocytes from adenoid tissues and peripheral blood were sub mitted for cytokine assays using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL -10. Adenoidal lymphocytes appear to produce significantly less Th1 cy tokines (IL-2, interferon gamma) compared to the patient's peripheral blood lymphocytes, whereas IL-4 and IL-5 (Th2 cytokines) appear to be synthesized to the same extent as if not slightly more than, in the ho mologous peripheral blood lymphocytes. Because the relationship betwee n Th1 and Th2 cytokines is extremely important in modulating the immun e response, it is advisable to determine the role of the cytokine prof iles of T-lymphocytes in the nasopharynx and its relationship to the d evelopment of inflammation of the eustachian tube and middle ear.