Articles

IMMUNE PROTEINS IN PERIPHERAL TISSUE FLUID-LYMPH IN PATIENTS WITH FILARIAL LYMPHEDEMA OF THE LOWER LIMBS

Authors: WL Olszewski ( ) , S Jamal ( ) , B Lukomska ( ) , G Manokaran ( ) , I Grzelak ( )

Abstract

Immune proteins and cytokine concentrations and activity were measured in skin tissue fluid-lymph and blood serum of patients with lower leg filarial lymphedema. High levels of lymph gamma-globulins, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and IgG lymph/serum ratio were found. Lymph from filarial patients had an elevated lymph stimulatory effect on blood mononuclear cell culture with phytohemagglutinin. There was also a high concentration and activity of IL-1 beta but gamma-interferon was not detected. The deranged pattern of immune proteins and high activity of IL-1 suggest persistence of an ongoing local inflammatory process despite the absence of overt dermatitis. The high tissue-lymph IL-1 concentration and activity may signify a cytokine network promoting keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation commonly seen on skin histology in patients with filariasis.

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How to Cite: Olszewski, W. , Jamal, S. , Lukomska, B. , Manokaran, G. & Grzelak, I. (1992) “IMMUNE PROTEINS IN PERIPHERAL TISSUE FLUID-LYMPH IN PATIENTS WITH FILARIAL LYMPHEDEMA OF THE LOWER LIMBS”, Lymphology. 25(4).