Defective IL-2 receptor expression in lymphocytes of patients with arsenic-induced Bowen's disease

The immune function of peripheral mononuclear cells (MNC) in patients with endemic arsenic-induced Bowen's disease (BD) was investigated. Many cytokines and immune-related factors were determined in the present study. Interleukin-1 beta and TNF-alpha production was used as an indicator of monocyte/macrophage function, Il-2 and sIL-2R production was used as an indicator of lymphocyte activation. The release of sCD4 and sCD8 was used as an indicator of activation of respective T-cell subpopulations. Production of IFN-gamma and IL-2 reflected the cellular effector function of helper T-cells type 1, In vivo cell-mediated immunity was also assessed by estimation of the percentage of T-cells in peripheral blood MNC and the nonspecific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), Both assays revealed depressed cell-mediated immunity in ED. Compared with healthy controls, spontaneous and PHA-induced IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha production was significantly decreased in ED whereas spontaneous release of IL-2, sCD4 and sCD8 was significantly increased, Although PHA stimulation increased IL-2 release, the expression of IL-2R alpha and beta chains and the release of sIL-2R were not proportionately increased in ED. In addition, IL-2-mediated [H-3]-thymidine incorporation by MNC in patients with ED was significantly decreased. These findings suggest that the defective cell-mediated immune function in ED is due to impairment of membrane IL-2R expression in lymphocytes after stimulation.