Browsing by Subject "http://www.yso.fi/onto/mesh/D013601"

During another research project, we noticed a small possibly interleukin-4 producing unknown cell population. This thesis aims to search for possible, yet unknown sources of cytokine mentioned. At the beginning of the thesis, there will be a summary of known sources of interleukin-4 as well as production, structure, and effects of it. The most significant source is T helper cells which are found with great numbers all over the immunologically active tissues and blood. Interleukin-4 has major role in parasitic defence, allergic reactions, and asthma, and it affects also other immune responses. We got fresh organ donor samples from HUS transplant surgeons for this thesis. Samples were taken from ileum, mesenteric lymph nodes, and blood as a control. The cells were single cell isolated and chemically coloured for flow cytometric analysis. With the method, it is not possible to prove that cells mentioned have produced interleukin-4 but being interleukin-4-positive suggests that. We were able to measure the number of immune cells and their interleukin-4-positivity in human ileum, which is rare worldwide. The distribution of immune cells and their interleukin-4-positivity in ileum resembled lymph nodal distribution. Predictably, most of interleukin-4-positive cells were T cells, but there were also macrophages, B cells and plasma cells in notable numbers. B cells and plasma cells have not been described to produce interleukin-4 which is why this population is especially interesting. This population could explain the unknown cells of the other study. MeSH: Interleukin-4, T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, Flow Cytometry