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  • Title: Investigation of IL-18 and IL-12 in induced sputum of patients with IPF before and after treatment with interferon gamma-1b.
    Author: Antoniou KM, Tzortzaki EG, Alexandrakis MG, Zervou M, Tzanakis N, Sfiridaki K, Bouros DE, Siafakas NM.
    Journal: Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis; 2005 Oct; 22(3):204-9. PubMed ID: 16315783.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND AND AIM: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) has been identified as an interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) mediator, promoting a T helper 1 (Th1) response. Th1 response is characterized by increased expression of IFN-gamma, interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-18 (IL-18). The present study aims to evaluate the role of Th1 cytokines by monitoring changes in Induced Sputum (IS) samples, before and after treatment with IFN-gamma-1b in patients with IPF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with histologically confirmed IPF/UIP (12 male, 3 female) of median age 65 yr were prospectively studied. Ten healthy subjects (5 female, 5 male) of median age 61 yr served as control group. Patients were assigned to receive IFN-gamma-1b 200 microg (15 patients) subcutaneously three times per week for 12 months. Induced sputum (IS) IL-12 and IL-18 levels were measured before and after IFN-gamma-1b treatment in IPF patients as well as in healthy controls, using ELISA immunoassay. RESULTS: The IL-18 levels were significantly higher in IPF samples before treatment than in healthy controls (57.05 +/- 6.9 pg/ml vs. 41.07 +/- 8.16 pg/ml, p < 0.05). A statistically significant decrease was detected in the IL-18 levels after IFN-gamma-1b treatment (57.05 +/- 6.9 vs. 42.8 +/- 5.1 pg/ml, p = 0.04). The IL-12 supernatant levels measured before and after IFN-gamma-1b treatment were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Our results may illustrate the potential role of IL-18 as an inflammatory molecule in the pathogenesis of IPF. Moreover, decrease of IL-18 levels in IPF patients, after 12 months of therapy could possibly be explained as IL-18 downregulation after IFN-gamma-1b treatment. Extended studies are needed to determine the precise role of IL-12 and IL-18 during IPF.
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