[An imbalance between Th1 and Th2-like cytokines in patients with autoimmune diseases--differential diagnosis between Th1 dominant autoimmune diseases and Th2 dominant autoimmune diseases]

Nihon Rinsho. 1997 Jun;55(6):1438-43.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

An imbalance between T helper cell (Th)1 and Th2-like cytokines has been described in several autoimmune diseases. Organ specific autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are caused by Th1 dominant immune responses. On the contrary, systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome(SS) are characterized by Th2 dominant imbalance of cytokine production. It might be useful for differential diagnosis among patients with various autoimmune diseases such as SLE, SS, IBD, and MS to measure the serum levels of cytokines such as IL-10, IFN gamma, and TNF alpha using ultrasensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Organ Specificity
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines