Interferon-γ and Nitric Oxide Production During Behçet Uveitis: Immunomodulatory Effect of Interleukin-10

Abstract

Uveitis is one of the major manifestations of Behçet Disease, a systemic inflammatory vasculitis. Our aim is to investigate in vivo and in vitro production of interferon (IFN)-γ and nitric oxide (NO) during Behçet uveitis (BU). Moreover, we evaluated the implication of IFN-γ and interleukin (IL)-10 in the regulation of NO production in vitro. Cytokines' concentrations were measured by ELISA, and NO levels were assessed by modified Griess's method. Our results showed that patients with active disease had significant elevation of IFN-γ and NO concentrations in both plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture supernatants compared with controls (P<0.01) or to patients with inactive disease (P<0.05). Further, IFN-γ induced significantly higher production of NO in cell culture supernatants, whereas IL-10 significantly reduced it (P<0.05). In conclusion, the elevated levels of IFN-γ in vivo and in vitro in patients with BU reflect the implication of this cytokine in the disease physiopathology. These results suggest that IFN-γ, through the induction of NO synthase 2 and the production of NO, is implicated in the genesis of the inflammatory process during active BU; whereas IL-10 seems to have protective properties.

T Cells Activation and Interferon-γ/Nitric Oxide Production during Behçet Disease: A Study in Algerian Patients

“…Our results show the evi dent involvement of IFN γ in the inflammatory process accompanying Behçet pathology. 3,5 On the other hand, this study provides evidence that NO production is elevated in Behçet patients in active stage compared to the remission stage and the healthy controls. Our observations are in the line with those reported by many other authors showing the eleva tion of NO concentration in the sera of active Behçet patients 2,3 .…”

“…3,5 On the other hand, this study provides evidence that NO production is elevated in Behçet patients in active stage compared to the remission stage and the healthy controls. Our observations are in the line with those reported by many other authors showing the eleva tion of NO concentration in the sera of active Behçet patients 2,3 . Several studies have suggested that the overexpression of either inducible NO and proinflam matory cytokines might be intimately involved in the pathogenesis and the evolution of BD.…”

“…2 The involvement of cytokines and chemokines in BD pathogenesis is reflected by the increase of their concentrations in sera and in PBMC of patients with BD and some of these mediators correlate with the clinical activity of the disease. 2,3 The study of CDs expression, as a markers of Tcells in relation with IFNγ production involved in the immune responses during BD appears necessary to situate Th1 immune response in the evolution and may be in the genesis of BD. 4,5 IFNγ is a pivotal Th1 cytokine triggered NO synthase 2induction.…”

“…4,5 IFNγ is a pivotal Th1 cytokine triggered NO synthase 2induction. 2,3 Several works reported its production during the Behçet disease. 3,4 We report here the study of CD3,CD4, CD8 expression in BD Algerian patients in relation with IFNγ and NO production.…”

“…2,3 Several works reported its production during the Behçet disease. 3,4 We report here the study of CD3,CD4, CD8 expression in BD Algerian patients in relation with IFNγ and NO production. Our obser vations led us to investigate the involvement of Tcell activation in inflammatory process enhanced in the disease.…”