Cell cycle control in cellular homeostasis during the immune response: Interactions between TH1, TH2 cytokines, and Bcl2 and p53 molecules

Cytokine regulation of lymphocyte survival may play an important role in th e control of the cell cycle during the immune response both in health and d isease. Expression of the Bcl2 gene promotes cell survival by countering ap optosis stimuli. The p53 protein has been implicated in the control of the cell cycle, in the synthesis and repair of DNA and in programmed cell death . TH1 and TH2 cytokines exert a mutual cross-regulation on the precursors o f TH1- or TH2-type effector cells which are important mediators in directin g the immune system towards the appropriate response. TH1 and TH2 cytokines have also been implicated in the modulation of the expression of cell cycl e regulator genes. Therefore, the study Of the relationships between TH1 an d TH2 cytokines and Bcl2 and p53 molecules in healthy subjects could lead t o a better understanding of the physiological regulation of the immune resp onse and identify markers for prognostic and diagnostic indices and biother apeutic treatment. We determined the serum bevels of cytokines (IL2, IFN ga mma, IL4, IL10, IL5, IL6, IL1 beta, TNF alpha, IL8), soluble receptors (sIL 2R, sIL6R, Bcl2-protein and p53-antibody in a group of healthy subjects. Multivariate statistical analyses were used to study the cytokine network r elationships with Bcl2-protein and p53-antibody, as they allow a simultaneo us evaluation of all variables which reflects the physiological situation. Our overall results suggest that relationships exist between TH1 and TH2 cy tokines and the Bcl2-protein and p53-antibody in physiological conditions. This information could now be used in experimental studies to create diagno stic and prognostic indices for the monitoring of health and disease.