Pathogenetic factors for excessive IgA production: Th2-dominated immune response in canine steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis

Canine steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) is a systemic inflammatory disease with a predominant manifestation within the cervical meninges, increased immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and a shift of the B:T cell ratio towards a higher percentage of B cells. A Th2-dominated immune response associated with SRMA was therefore hypothesised. s of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) and CSF white blood cells (CSF WBCs) from dogs in the acute phase of SRMA (n = 16) and under glucocorticoid treatment for SRMA (n = 16) were investigated for interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 mRNA expression by means of reverse-transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results were compared with those of dogs with other inflammatory (n = 9) and neoplastic disorders (n = 10) of the central nervous system. ency towards low levels of Th1 response related cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ) and high IL-4 expression was observed indicating a Th2-skewed immune response. The pronounced IL-4 production may be an important pathogenetic factor for excessive IgA production in the acute phase of SRMA and for those cases under glucocorticoid treatment.