Circulating Th2 memory cells in IgG4‐related disease are restricted to a defined subset of subjects with atopy

• Published in: Allergy (Copenhagen) Vol. 69; no. 3; pp. 399 - 402
• Main Authors: Mattoo, H., Della‐Torre, E., Mahajan, V. S., Stone, J. H., Pillai, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; allergy; atopy; Cells; Disease; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate - diagnosis; Hypersensitivity, Immediate - immunology; IgG4‐RD; Immunoglobulin G - immunology; Immunologic Memory; Immunophenotyping; Lymphatic system; Lymphocyte Count; Male; Memory; Middle Aged; Phenotype; Plasma; Th2 Cells - immunology; Th2 Cells - metabolism; Th2 response; Young Adult; atopy; allergy; Th2 response; IgG4-RD
• ISSN: 0105-4538; 1398-9995; 1398-9995
• DOI: 10.1111/all.12342

IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) is characterized by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate composed of IgG4+ plasma cells, tumefactive lesions, obliterative phlebitis, and mild to moderate eosinophilia. It has been suggested that IgG4‐RD is characterized by allergic manifestations and is potentially driven by enhanced T‐helper type 2 (Th2) responses. We aimed to investigate the potential contribution of atopy to enhanced Th2 responses in IgG4‐RD. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 39 patients were isolated and subjected to in vitro mitogenic stimulation with PMA and ionomycin. Following stimulation, gated CD3+CD4+ T cells were analyzed for production of the Th2 cytokines IL‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13. Among the 39 patients analyzed, only the 18 patients who had a history of atopy showed increases in circulating Th2 memory cells. Our results indicate that Th2 responses that have been reported in IgG4‐RD may result from concomitant atopic manifestations in disease subjects.