Nickel, palladium and rhodium induced IFN-gamma and IL-10 production as assessed by <it>in vitro </it>ELISpot-analysis in contact dermatitis patients

• Main Authors: Ensoli Fabrizio, Picardo Mauro, Aiello Arianna, Vento Antonella, Cordiali-Fei Paola, Palamara Francesca, Bordignon Valentina, Cristaudo Antonio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2008-05-01
• Series: BMC Immunology
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2172/9/19

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent attempts to diminish nickel use in most industrial products have led to an increasing utilization of alternative metal compounds for destinations such as the alloys used in orthopaedics, jewellery and dentistry. The present study was undertaken with the aim to evaluate the potential for an allergic response to nickel, palladium and rhodium on the basis of antigen-specific induction of inflammatory/regulatory cytokines, and to characterize, according to the cytokine profiles, the nature of simultaneous positive patch tests elicited <it>in vivo</it>.</p> <p>Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 40 patients with different patch test results were kept in short term cultures in the presence of optimized concentrations of NiSO₄× 6H₂O, PdCl₂and Rh(CH₃COO)₂. The production of IFN-γ and IL-10 elicited by metal compounds were analyzed by the ELISpot assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found a specific IFN-γ response by PBMC upon <it>in vitro </it>stimulation with nickel or palladium in well recognized allergic individuals. All controls with a negative patch test to a metal salt showed an <it>in vitro </it>IL-10 response and not IFN-γ production when challenged with the same compound. Interestingly, all subjects with positive patch test to both nickel and palladium (group 3) showed an <it>in vitro </it>response characterized by the release of IFN-γ after nickel stimulation and production of IL-10 in response to palladium.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results strongly suggest that the different cytokine profiles elicited <it>in vitro </it>reflect different immune responses which may lead to the control of the allergic responses or to symptomatic allergic contact dermatitis. The development of sensitive and specific <it>in vitro </it>assays based on the determination of the cytokine profiles in response to contact allergens may have important diagnostic and prognostic implications and may prove extremely useful in complementing the diagnostic limits of traditional patch testing.</p>