1992 Volume 41 Issue 12 Pages 1717-1721
T-cell-derived lymphokine, IFN-γ, has potent effects on B-cell differentiation and leukotriene C4 production in leukocytes, and inhibits the effect of IL-4 on IgE production. To investigate the role of IFN-γ in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, we examined IFN-γ production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured with Candida antigen and serum Candida specific IgG1 antibody from 20 asthmatics. The results were as follows: 1) IFN-γ production in non-atopic severe asthmatics was significantly higher than in healthy subjects, atopic mild and moderate asthmatics, and atopic severe asthmatics (p<0.05). 2) There was a significant correlation between IFN-γ production induced by Candida antigen and serum Candida specific IgG1 antibody (r=0.72, p<0.01). These results suggest that IFN-γ may play an important role in the pathogenesis of non-atopic severe bronchial asthma.
