Analysis ofTH1 andTH2 cytokine production in lowgrade B cell gastricMALT-typelymphomas stimulated invitro withHelicobacter pylori

Previous studies havesuggested thatthe dependence oflowgradeB cellgastric lymphomaon infection ofthegastric mucosawithHelicobacter pyloriresults fromhelpprovided byH pylorispecific tumourinfiltrating T cells. ELISPOT analysis wasusedtocharacterise functional subpopulations oftumourinfiltratingT cells. Theproduction oftheTHI cytokine interferon yandTH2 cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5,andIL-10were measuredin tumour cellsuspensions fromtwocasesoflowgradeB cell gastric lymphoma,one caseofthyroidgland lymphoma, andonecaseofsalivary gland lymphoma.Cellswereassayed onday0 andfollowing 24hoursincubation either inculture medium orwitha rangeof strains ofH pylori. Therewasadominant THl-type(pro-inflammatory) response consistent withtheTHI responseobserved inHpylori gastritis. (7Clin Pathol 1997;50:957-959)