Local cytokine production peculiarities in nasopharyngeal (adenoid) tissue of children with chronic lymph proliferative syndrome of different etiology

Proinflammatory cytokines can regulate local inflammatory and immune responses during infections of respiratory tract. Production of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 was investigated in children with chronic lymph proliferative syndrome. Biopsies of adenoid tissue were taken in 42 children 3-8 years old during adenoctomy or adenotonsilectomy. Cytokines production was detected in cryostat sections using non-direct immunohistochemistry. Neutrophils were stained histochemically. Cytokine-producing cells (mainly macrophages) were counted in sections, results were expressed in units (0 no reaction – 3 high intensity) and percent of positive cases was calculated. I group of children (n=16) had Epstein-Barr virus (VEB), cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infection (past-infection, PCR+DNA VEB, CMV), II group (n=15) - streptococcal infection (ASL-0>200ME/ml), III group (n=11) - unclear etiology. We detected IL-1a, IL-6 in 25-75%, IL-1b- in 25%, IL-8 – in 75% patients from I group, but at 94-100% cases in II or III groups. Intensity of all cytokines production was the highest in II group (IL-1a 1.40±0.40; IL-1b 1.40±0.35; IL-6 1.53±0.28; IL-8 1.73±0.32 units) and decreased in group I (IL-1a 0.25±0.23, IL-1b 0.25±0.23, IL-6 0.50±0.27, IL-8 0.93±0.36); p<0.05 I vs II; I vs III (beside IL-8); II vs III. The number of neutrophils infiltrated adenoid tissue showed local inflmmation and did not differ significantly among three groups. We conclude that in children with VEB, CMV infection cytokine production is suppressed in comparison with groups with Streptococcal infection or unclear etiology.