Re: Type TH1 and TH2

October 10, 2008

Hi Arman;

Th1 and Th2 are types of T helper cells (or Helper T cells), which

are components of the human immune system. Basically they receive

antigens that are presented to them by antigen presenting cells (such

as dendritic cells), and then they produce cytokines that direct

other cells (e.g. B cells, macrophages etc) what to do when faced

with infection. In addition to Th1 and Th2 cells, there are 2 other

important types of T cells .... Th17 cells which are highly pro-

inflammatory, and T regulatory cells (Tregs) that are anti-

inflammatory. These different types of T cells produce different

cytokines. For example, Th17 cells produce interleukin 17, while

Tregs produce interleukin 10.

It is likely that diseases such as ulcerative colitis may be due to

an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory T cells.

For instance, interleukin 10 has just been shown to be a major

susceptibility gene in human ulcerative colitis:

e A, Balschun T, Karlsen TH, Sventoraityte J, Nikolaus S, Mayr

G, Domingues FS, Albrecht M, Nothnagel M, Ellinghaus D, Sina C, Onnie

CM, Weersma RK, Stokkers PC, Wijmenga C, Gazouli M, Strachan D,

McArdle WL, Vermeire S, Rutgeerts P, Rosenstiel P, Krawczak M, Vatn

MH; the IBSEN study group, Mathew CG, Schreiber S 2008 Sequence

variants in IL10, ARPC2 and multiple other loci contribute to

ulcerative colitis susceptibility. Nat. Genet. Oct 5 [Epub ahead of

print] PMID: 18836448

Folks, please note that Karlsen is an author on this paper.

You may remember that when Tom spoke at the PSC Partners Seeking a

Cure conference in ville, FL this spring, he noted that

interleukin 10 is probably also a PSC susceptibility gene.

Best regards,

Dave

(father of (23); PSC 07/03; UC 08/03)

>

> Has anyone have TH! and TH2 blood test done? from what I

understand and I could be TOTALY wrong it's to test bacteria in the

cells. Am I correct?

>

> Thanks

> Arman

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