Immune State In Patients With Henoch-Schonlein Purpura

Objective: 1. To investigate the effects of cytokines on the pathogenesis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP) by detecting the changes of serum TGF- β1,IL-12p40 and other immune factors; 2. To search for some common allergens in acute HSP patients.Methods: 1.Concentrations of TGF-β1 and IL-12p40 in serum of 64 cases of HSP(acute phase 49,recorery phase 15) and 30 cases of normal control group were measured by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA); 2. IgA,IgE, IgM,IgG,C3,C4,CIC, CD3, CD4, CD8 were detected by flow cytometry in 32 cases of acute HSP; 3.Some respiratory allergens in 49 cases of acute HSP were proceeded by using in vitro ELISA.RESULTS: 1.Serum levels of TGF- β1 in acute HSP and in ecchymosis group as well as in mixed group were higher than in normal control(P<0.05). Similarly, serum level of TGF- β1 in acute phase HSP before treatment was higher than that in recovery phase after treatment (P<0.01). 2. Serum level of IL-12p40 in recurrent group was higher than those in normal control and infirst occurred group(PO.Ol). Serum levels of IL-12p40 in ecchymosis group and in petechia group were higher than that in normal control(P<0.05); 3. Mean values of IgA and IgE in acute HSP were higher than those in normal control. IL-12p40 appeared negative correlation with IgA but positive correlation with IgE. TGF- pi showed positive correlation with IgA and IgE. But statistical differences were existed in neither of them. Mean values of IgM> IgG> C3^ C<^ CIC\ CD3> CD4, CD8 were similar to normal control; 4. Through the examination of allergen, the first kind of flower powder in autumn was positive in 13 cases, it made up 27.66%. Others were dust> mite> the second kind of flower powder in autumn -, fungus and flower powder in spring , the positive cases and percentages were 10(21.28%) > 9(19.15%) ^ 6(12.76%) ? 5(10.64%) ^ 4(8.51%) respectively. There were no significant differences in positive rates among these allergens.Conclusion: 1-. There were excessive IgA and IgE existed in serum of patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura. The superiority state of Th2 cells was related to rising of TGF- pi and IL-12p40. 2> Serum levels of TGF- pi in acute HSP and in ecchymosis group as well as mixed group were higher than that in normal control (PO.05). These results indicated that TGF- pi was closely related to the occurrence and severity of HSP. 3^ Serum level of IL-12p40 in recurrent group was higher than those in normal controls and in first occurred group(PO.Ol). These showed that the level of IL-12p40 was probably a valuable index for monitoring the recurrence of HSP. 4> Different patients were reacted to various allergens. It is necessary to check allergens in HSP patients for searching possible causes.