Impact of interleukin-21 in the pathogenesis of primary Sjogren's syndrome: increased serum levels of interleukin-21 and its expression in the labial salivary glands

Kang, Kwi Young,Kim, Hyun-Ok,Kwok, Seung-Ki,Ju, Ji Hyeon,Park, Kyung-Su,Sun, Dong-Il,Jhun, Joo Yeon,Oh, Hye Jwa,Park, Sung-Hwan,Kim, Ho-Youn BioMed Central 2011 ARTHRITIS RESEARCH AND THERAPY Vol.13 No.5

<P><B>Introduction</B></P><P>Interleukin (IL)-21 is a cytokine that controls the functional activity of effector T helper cells and the differentiation of Th17 cells, and promotes B-cell differentiation. To test whether IL-21 participates in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), serum IL-21 level was measured and IL-21 expression in the labial salivary glands (LSG) was examined.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>Serum IL-21 levels in 40 primary SS, 40 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 38 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 20 healthy controls were measured. Serum IL-21 levels of SS patients were assessed for correlations with laboratory data, including anti-nuclear antibody, anti-Ro/La antibodies, globulin, immunoglobulin (Ig) class, and IgG subclass. LSGs from 16 primary SS and 4 controls with sicca symptoms were evaluated for IL-21 and IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) expression by immunohistochemistry. Confocal microscopy was performed to further characterize the IL-21 positive cells.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Primary SS patients had significantly higher serum IL-21 levels than controls, and these increments correlated positively with levels of IgG, IgG1. Serum IgG1 levels correlated with anti-Ro antibody titers. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that lymphocytic foci and the periductal area of the LSGs from SS patients expressed high levels of IL-21 and lower levels of IL-21R, whereas the control LSGs showed minimal expression of both antigens. The more the lymphocyte infiltrated, IL-21expression in LSGs showed a tendency to increase. Confocal microscopic analyses revealed that IL-21 expressing infiltrating lymphocytes in the LSGs of SS patients also expressed CXCR5.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>Primary SS is associated with high serum IL-21 levels that correlate positively with serum IgG, especially IgG1, levels. The expression of IL-21 is increased as more lymphocytes infiltrated in LSGs. These observations suggest that IL-21 may play an important role in primary SS pathogenesis.</P>

금은화, 연교, 포공영 혼합물의 항염증 작용에 관한 연구

최강민 ( Kang Min Choi ),전주현 ( Ju Hyun Jeon ),김은석 ( Eun Seok Kim ),성기정 ( Ki Jung Sung ),김영일 ( Young Il Kim ) 대전대학교 한의학연구소 2021 혜화의학회지 Vol.30 No.1

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the inflammatory-control effects of Cheonghyeol-antidote complex(Lonicera japonica Thunberg, Forsythia viridissima Lindley, and Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahlstedt complex, CHA) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell and mouse inflammation models. Method : For in vitro and in vivo experiment, Indicators such as cell viability, mRNA expression level(iNOS, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, TNF-a), Inflammatory factor production(NO, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-a), and protein phosphorylation level(ERK, JNK, p38) were analyzed. For in vivo experiment, Indicators such as mRNA expression level(iNOS, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, TNF-a), Inflammatory factor production(IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-a), protein phosphorylation level(ERK, JNK, p38) and immune cell(white blood cell, lymphocyte) were analyzed. Results : 1. In vitro experiment In cell viability of CHA, CHA showed cell viability below 90% at concentrations of 400 μg / ml or more. In mRNA expression level, IL-6 and IL-1β showed a significant decrease at all concentrations except 25 μg / ml concentration, and iNOS, COX-2, and TNF-a showed a significant decrease at all concentrations of CHA compared to the control group. In inflammatory factor production, NO and TNF-a showed a significant decrease at all concentrations except 25 μg / ml concentration of CHA, and IL-1β showed a significant decrease at 100, 200 μg / ml concentration of CHA compared to the control group. IL-6 showed a significant decrease at all concentration of CHA compared to the control group. In protein phosphorylation level, ERK and p38 showed a significant decrease at all concentrations except 25 μg / ml concentration of CHA and JNK showed a significant decrease at all concentrations of CHA compared to control group. 2. In vivo experiment In mRNA expression level, iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-a showed a significant decrease in all administration groups of CHA compared to the control group. In Inflammatory factor production, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-a showed a significant decrease in all the administration groups of CHA. In protein phosphorylation level, ERK, JNK, and p38 showed a significant decrease in all the administration groups of CHA. In the immune cells, leukocytes and lymphocytes showed a significant decrease in all the administration groups of CHA. Conclusions : This study shows that CHA has antioxidant and inflammatory-control effects on LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. It is hoped that further research will be conducted on the individual mechanisms of Lonicera japonica Thunberg, Forsythia viridissima Lindley, and Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahlstedt.

Positive and negative roles of interleukin-6 in bone metabolism , inflammation and cell differentiation : application in oriental medical research

Lee, Dong Kyu,Kang, Dong Hwi,Kim, Dong Il,Lee, Tae Kyun,Park, Young Guk,Kim, Cheorl Ho 대한한의학회 부인과학회 2000 大韓韓方婦人科學會誌 Vol.13 No.2

Interleukin 6 (IL-6)은 여러종류의 세포에서 분화 및 주화인자로 작용하는 사이토카인이다. 사람 IL-6의 분자구조는 21에서 28 kDa의 분자량을 갖는 하나의 폴리펩타이드 단백질로서 N-형과 O-형당부가반응과 세린잔기에 인산화를 수반하여 수식되어 있다. 이 사이토카인은 수성의 28-아미노산 자기로 구성된 시그날배열을 가진 212 아미노산의 전구체 단백질로서 생합성된다. IL-6와 가장 밀접한 분자구조를 갖는 물질로는 granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)가 있으며 사람 IL-6의 유전자는 염색체 7p21에 암호화되어 있다. IL-6는 IL-6수용체 (80 kDa subunit, IL-6Ra)의 a-사슬의 세포의 영역과 상호작용을 거쳐 세포표면에 결합하게 되며 이렇게 생성된 결합체는 gp130수용체와 상호작용하며, 이때 gp130 subunit는 JAK/STAT signaling cascade의 계속적인 활성화능력을 보유하도록 리간드-의존적인 2량화 형성이 유도된다. IL-6Ra의 세포내 영역도메인은 신호전달반응에 아무런 역할을 하지 않으며 IL-6Ra의 세포막통과와 세포질도메인이 결여된 수용성 IL-6수용체도 마찬가지로 IL-6와 반웅하며 상승제로서 가능을 하게 된다. 이러한 광범위한 발현과 효과 때문에 IL-6생성의 생체내에서의 부적절한 발현과 조절은 중요한 생리적인 변화를 야기시킨다. 본 총설에서는 생리적이고 병태생리적인 조건에서의 IL-6의 역할과 기능을 검토하였으며 한의학에서의 면역, 천식, 골대사, 당뇨, 암, 순환기계질환, 신경계질환의 약물개발과 기전해석의 수단으로서 검토하였다. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that functions as a trophic and differentiating factor in cells of many types. Human IL-6 is a single-chain protein with a molecular mass ranging from 21 to 28 kDa. IL-6 is modified by N- and O-glycosylations, as well as by phosphorylation on serine residues. The cytokine is synthesized as a precursor protein of 212 amino acids with a hydrophobic 28-residue signal sequence. Its closest homolog is granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The gene for human IL-6 is located on chromosome 7p21. IL-6 binds to the cell surface via an interaction with the extracellular region of the a-chain of the IL-6 receptor (80 kDa subunit, IL-6Ra). This complex then associates with the gp130 receptor. The gpl30 subunit undergoes ligand-dependent dimerization with subsequent activation of the JAK/STAT signaling cascade. The intracellular domain of IL-6Ra does not play a role in signal transduction. The soluble IL-6 receptor, which lacks the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domain of IL-6Ra, is also responsive to IL-6 and acts as an agonist. Because of its wide-ranging expression and effects, the inappropriate expression and modulation of IL-6 production has important physiological consequences. Presently, it was examined that role of IL-6 under physiological and pathophysiological conditions, and its feasibility as a drug discovery target are meaningful in fields of oriental medical research.

인간 재조합 인터루긴-32 면역조절작용에 대한 유세포 분석

이광수,김영관,채정일,심정현,김은미,강형식,김수현,윤도영,명평근 충남대학교 생물공학연구소 2006 생물공학연구지 Vol.12 No.-

Xenotransplantation of porcine organs has the potential to overcome the severe shortage of human tissues and organ available for human transplantation. however, it remains various hurdles for clinical xenotransplantation. In pig and mouse xenotransplantation, porcine xenograft evoke a strong cellular rejection response in immunocompetent host and grafts are destroyed within a week. This cellular immune response could involved both T cells and NK cells. A number of groups have shown that human NK cells can recognize and damage porcine endothelial cells. In addition, human T cells can respond to porcine endothelial cells through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Cellular rejection of porcine tissues requires T cells, particularly CD4^(+) cells. A new cytokine recombinant human interleukin-32α,β(IL-32α,β) has a role innate and acquired immune system. In order to investigate the role of recombinant mouse IL-18 and recombinant human IL-32α,β in xenograft rejection, we transplanted the PK(15) cells to C57BL/6 mice with or without intraperitoneal injection of recombinant mouse IL-18 or recombinant human IL-32 α,β. It was analyzed the population of NK cell, T cell and B cell in the C57BL/6 mice transplanted with PK(15) cells and recombinant mouse IL-18 or recombinant human IL-32α,β by flow cytometry analysis. As a result, lymph node and thymus of PK15/IL18, PK15/IL32α and PK15/IL32β injected group were increased to T cell activation population than normal injected groups. CD8^(+) T cells were decreased in lymph node of PK15/IL18, PK15/IL32α and PK15/IL32β injected groups. CD4^(+) T cells were increased in lymph node cell of PK15/IL32α and PK15/IL32β injected group and also, B cell population were increased in lymph node cell and spleen of PK15/IL18, PK15/IL32α and PK15/IL32β injected group. Therefore, we suggest that recombinant mouse IL-18 and recombinant human IL-32α,β suppress xenograft rejection in cellular xenotransplantation.

위암에서 Helicobacter pylori cagA, vacA, iceA 유전자와 숙주 Interleukin-1β및 Interleukin-1 수용체 길항제 유전자 다형성

이성훈 ( Seong Hun Lee ),김태오 ( Tae Oh Kim ),이동현 ( Dong Hyun Lee ),박원일 ( Won Il Park ),김광하 ( Gwang Ha Kim ),허정 ( Jeong Heo ),강대환 ( Dae Hwan Kang ),송근암 ( Geun Am Song ),조몽 ( Mong Cho ) 대한내과학회 2006 대한내과학회지 Vol.71 No.1

Background: Both Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) cagA, vacA, iceA genotype and host IL-1B/IL-1RN polymorphisms play a role in determining the clinical consequences of H. pylori infection. This study aimed to investigate whether there might be any combinations of H. pylori cagA, vacA, iceA genotype and host IL-1B/IL-1RN polymorphisms that are particularly associated with the occurrence of gastric carcinoma in Korean patients. Methods: This study population was comprised of 239 patients with H. pylori infection: 122 with gastric carcinoma and 117 with gastritis only. DNA was isolated from gastric biopsy sample and H. pylori cagA, vacA and iceA genotype were determined by PCR. IL-1B-511 polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP and IL-1RN polymorphisms were analyzed with variable number of tandom repeat after PCR. Results: H. pylori cagA, vacA, and iceA genotype were not associated with an increased risk for gastric carcinoma. IL-1B-511*T carriers and IL-1RN*2 carriers did not show increased risk for gastric carcinoma. On combination of bacterial/host genotypes, cagA+/IL-1B-511*T carriers and cagA+/IL-1RN*2 carriers, vacA s1/IL-1B-511*T carriers, vacA s1/IL-1RN*2 carriers, vacA m1/IL-1B-511*T carriers, vacA m1/IL-1RN*2 carriers, iceA1/IL-1B-511*T carriers, iceA1/IL-1RN*2 carriers showed no increased risk of gastric carcinoma. Conclusions: Combined H. pylori cagA, vacA, iceA genotype and host IL-1B/IL-1RN polymorphisms shows no increased risk of gastric carcinoma. Therefore, it seems other endogenous or exogenous factors may play more important role in the development of gastric carcinoma in Korean.(Korean J Med 71:24-37, 2006)

IL-17A induces osteoblast differentiation by activating JAK2/STAT3 in ankylosing spondylitis

Jo, Sungsin,Wang, Sung Eun,Lee, Young Lim,Kang, Suman,Lee, Bitnara,Han, Jinil,Sung, Il-Hoon,Park, Ye-Soo,Bae, Sang-Cheol,Kim, Tae-Hwan BioMed Central 2018 Arthritis research & therapy Vol.20 No.-

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>IL-17A has recently emerged as a potential target that regulates the extensive inflammation and abnormal bone formation observed in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Blocking IL-17A is expected to inhibit bony ankylosis. Here, we investigated the effects of anti IL-17A agents in AS.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>TNFα, IL-17A, and IL-12/23 p40 levels in serum and synovial fluid from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), or healthy controls (HC) were measured by ELISA. Bone tissue samples were obtained at surgery from the facet joints of ten patients with AS and ten control (Ct) patients with noninflammatory spinal disease. The functional relevance of IL-17A, biological blockades, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and non-receptor tyrosine kinase was assessed in vitro with primary bone-derived cells (BdCs) and serum from patients with AS.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Basal levels of IL-17A and IL-12/23 p40 in body fluids were elevated in patients with AS. JAK2 was also highly expressed in bone tissue and primary BdCs from patients with AS. Furthermore, addition of exogenous IL-17A to primary Ct-BdCs promoted the osteogenic stimulus-induced increase in ALP activity and mineralization. Intriguingly, blocking IL-17A with serum from patients with AS attenuated ALP activity and mineralization in both Ct and AS-BdCs by inhibiting JAK2 phosphorylation and downregulating osteoblast-involved genes. Moreover, JAK2 inhibitors effectively reduced JAK2-driven ALP activity and JAK2-mediated events.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>Our findings indicate that IL-17A regulates osteoblast activity and differentiation via JAK2/STAT3 signaling. They shed light on AS pathogenesis and suggest new rational therapies for clinical AS ankylosis.</P><P><B>Electronic supplementary material</B></P><P>The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-018-1582-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.</P>

Two-Track Medical Treatment Strategy According to the Clinical Scoring System for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Kim, Dong-Kyu,Kang, Seong Il,Kong, Il Gyu,Cho, Young Hoon,Song, Seul Ki,Hyun, Se Jin,Cho, Sung Dong,Han, Sang-Yoon,Cho, Seong-Ho,Kim, Dae Woo The Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical 2018 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.10 No.5

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The previously reported Japanese clinical scoring study (JESREC) suggests that chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) can be divided into 4 subtypes according to the degree of eosinophilic CRS (ECRS) and offers the information regarding the prognosis of CRS to clinicians. However, this scoring system has not yet been validated by an immunological study and needs to provide treatment guidelines based on underlying immunologic profiles. We investigated the immunologic profile of each CRS subgroup according to the JESREC classification and suggest its clinical application.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>A total of 140 CRS patients and 20 control subjects were enrolled. All patients were classified into 4 groups according to the JESREC (non-, mild, moderate and severe ECRS). Nasal tissues were analyzed for mRNA expression of major cytokines (IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-22, IL-23p19, IFN-γ, periostin, thymic stromal lymphopoietin [TSLP] and ST2), major chemokines (CCL11, CCL24, CXCL1 and CXCL2), transcription factors (T-bet, GATA3, RORC and FOXP3) and COL1A1 for type I collagen. Protein levels of 3 major cytokines (IL-5, IL-17A and IFN-γ) were also measured by multiplex immunoassay. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to investigate the overall profile of multiple mediators.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The moderate/severe ECRS showed up-regulation of type 2-related mediators (IL-5, IL-13, periostin, TSLP and ST-2), whereas INF-γ (type 1 cytokine) and CXCL1 (neutrophil chemokine) expressions were increased in non-/mild ECRS compared with moderate/severe ECRS. The JESREC classification reflected an immunological endotype. In PCA data, PCA1 indicates a relative type 2 profile, whereas PCA2 represents a type 1/type 17-related profile. In this analysis, mild ECRS was indistinguishable from non-ECRS, whereas moderate to severe ECRS showed a distinct distribution compared with non-ECRS. The JESREC classification could be divided into 2 categories, non-/mild vs. moderate/severe ECRS based on underlying immunological analyses.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>The CRS clinical scoring system from the JESREC study reflects an inflammatory endotype. However, the immunologic profile of mild ECRS was similar to that of non-ECRS. Therefore, we propose type 2-targeted medical treatment for moderate to severe ECRS and type 1/type 17-targeted for non-ECRS and mild ECRS as the first treatment option.</P>

The enhanced IL-l8 production by UVB irradiation requires ROI and AP-1 signaling in human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT)

Cho, Daeho,Kang, Jae Seung,Park, Jong Hoon,Kim, Young-In,Hahm, Eunsil,Lee, Junechul,Yang, Yoolhee,Jeon, Junho,Song, HyunKeun,Park, Hyunjeong,Kim, Taesung,Pang, Saic,Kim, Chul-Woo,Hwang, Young Il,Lee, 전남대학교 약품개발연구소 2002 약품개발연구지 Vol.11 No.-

Based on our recent observation that enhanced IL-18 expression positively correlates with malignant skin tumors, such as SCC and melanoma, we examined the possible role of UVB, known to be associated with skin cancer development, in the enhancement of IL-18 production using primary human epidermal keratinocytes and human cell line HaCaT. After cells were exposed to UVB irradiation in vitro, IL-18 production was examined by Northern blot analysis and ELISA, and it was found that IL-18 production is enhanced by UVB irradiation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, we confirmed that it is functionally active form of IL-18 using the inhibitor of caspase-1. The effect of UVB irradiation was blocked by antioxidant, N-acetyl-ι-cysteine (NAC), which suggested the involvement of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) in the signal transduction of UVB irradiation-enhanced IL-18 synthesis. We also found that UVB irradiation increased AP-1 binding activity by using EMSA with AP-1-specific oligonucleotide. Furthermore, inhibitors of UVB-induced AP-1 activity, such as PD98059, blocked enhanced IL-18 production, indicating that AP-1 activation is required for UVB-induced IL-18 production. Taken together, our results suggest that UVB irradiation-enhanced IL-18 production is selectively mediated through the generation of ROI and the activation of AP-1.

A Novel Function of Interleukin-10 Promoting Self-Renewal of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Kang, Young-Ju,Yang, Seung-Jip,Park, Gyeongsin,Cho, Bin,Min, Chang-Ki,Kim, Tae-Yoon,Lee, Joon-Sung,Oh, Il-Hoan Wiley (John WileySons) 2007 Stem Cells Vol.25 No.7

<P>Self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is key to their reconstituting ability, but the factors regulating the process remain poorly understood. Here, we show that Interleukin-10 (IL-10), a pleiotropic immune modulating cytokine, can also play a role in regulating HSC self-renewal. First, a quantitative decrease of primitive hematopoietic cell populations, but not more matured cells, was observed in the bone marrows of IL-10 disrupted mice as determined by long-term in vitro cultures or in vivo competitive repopulation assays. In contrast, normal HSCs from 5-fluorouracil treated marrows cultured on the IL-10 secreting stroma displayed an enhanced repopulating activity compared with cells grown on control stroma, with ninefold higher numbers of donor-derived HSCs in the reconstituted recipient marrows. Moreover, limiting dilution transplantation assay demonstrated that exogenous addition of IL-10 in the stroma-free cultures of purified Lin- Sca-1+ c-kit+ cells caused three- to fourfold higher frequencies of HSCs in the 5-day short-term culture without indirect inhibitory effect of IL-10 on tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interferon-gamma secretion. Interestingly, primitive hematopoietic cells, including Lin- Sca-1+ c-kit+ or side population cells, expressed the surface receptor for IL-10, and microenvironmental production of IL-10 was sharply increased in the osteoblasts lining the trabecular regions of the radiation-stressed marrow but not in the steady-state marrows. These results show that IL-10 may be a ligand that can stimulate self-renewal of HSCs to promote their regeneration in addition to being a ligand for immune regulation. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.</P>

RSV 와 인플루엔자 바이러스 A 형 감염에 의해 천명을 보이는 소아와 천식 소아에서 비인두 흡인액의 Interleukin-5 와 Interleukin-γ 치의 비교

오재원,이하백,김창렬,염명걸,문수지,박일규,강정옥 대한 소아알레르기 및 호흡기학회 1999 소아알레르기 및 호흡기학회지 Vol.9 No.2

목 적 : 호흡기 바이러스 감염은 소아에서 천식을 악화시키는 것으로 잘 알려져 있다. 그러나 영유아기의 천식이나 천명발생에 있어서 호홉기 바이러스의 역할에 대해서는 명확하게 밝혀져 있지 않다. 소아기의 천명이 천식과 달리 하나의 독립된 질환인지, 아니면 같은 질환으로 달리 표현되는 것인지 논란이 되어왔다. 이에 본 저자들은 호흡기 바이러스 감염과 천명과의 상관관계와 기전을 이해하기 위하여 RSV 감염이나 influenza A 바이러스 감염에 의해 천명이 있는 소아와 바이러스가 증명되지 않고 천명이 있는 천식소아에서의 비인두 흡인액의 IL-5와 IFN-γ치를 측정하여 비교하였다. 방 법 : 호흡기 바이러스 감염군 38명(RSV감염군 21명, influenga A virus 감염군 17명), 바이러스가 증명되지 않은 천식환아군 12명, 정상 대조군 16명을 대상으로 double sandwich ELISA를 이용하여 비인두 흡인액에서 IL-5와 IFN-γ치를 측정하여 비교하였다. 결 과 : RSV 감영군에서 비인두 흡인액의 IL-5 평균치가 influenza A 바이러스군의 평균치보다 의미있게 높았으며, 천식군보다도 높은 양상을 보이나 의미있는 차이는 없었다 반면, influenza A 바이러스 감염군의 비인두 흡인액의 IFN-γ치가 RSV군에 비해 의미있게 높았으나 천식환아군이나 정상군에 비해 의미있게 높지는 않았다. 비인두 흡입액에서 IL-5와 IFN-γ치간의 상관관계는 없었다. 결 론 : RSV 감염군은 influenza A 바이러스 감염군에 비해 Th2 반응이 우세한 것으로 추정되며, 반면에 influenza A virus 감염군은 Th1 반응을 보이는 것을 알 수 있다. Background : Infection with respiratory virus has been shown to exacerbate asthma. However, the role of a respiratory virus in the pathogenesis of chronic asthma and/or wheezing in young children has not been clearly defined. And it also has been debated whether virus-induced wheezing in young children is an entity different from allergic asthma, or just a different expression of the same disease. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the importance of eosinophilic inflammation, comparing IL-5 and IFN-γ levels in nasopharyngeal secretions in wheezing children with or without viral infection and the controls. Methods : We compared IL-5 and IFN-γ levels in nasopharyngeal secretions from 38 non-asthmatic wheezing children with viral infections (RSV in 21 children, influenza A virus in 17 children), 12 asthmatic children without viral infections and 16 children as the controls. Results : The present study reported that RSV infection in children induced more releasing of IL-5 in nasopharyngeal secretions than the influenza A virus infected ones and the controls. On the other hand, the releasing of IFN-γ levels in nasopharyngeal secretions from children with influenza A virus infection was significantly higher than those of the children with RSV infection or asthmatic children. Conclusion : RSV infection in children may play a role in the immune response toward a Th2 phenotype as increasing IL-5 secretion in nasopharyngeal secretion. Increased IFN-γ production in response to the influenza A virus infection may be related to the effective Th1 responses.