Analisi delle molecole costimolatorie in patologie associate a disfunzioni del sistema immunitario

T-cell activation is induced by the presentation of a peptide/majorhistocompatibility molecule complex on the surface of APC in the presence of costimulatory molecules of the B7 family. The second signal provided from costimulatory molecules is able to regulate the activation, the inhibition and the balance of T cells response. Immune System defends host against pathogens, but in some condition it can verify a disfunction in one of its component. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of costimulatory molecules in the onset and the progression of 3 disease associated to Immune System's disfunction: AIDS, Allergy to Betullacee and Multiple Sclerosis. B7 family molecules expression and intracellular IL-10 and IFN-? production, of CD3+, CD19+ and CD14+ cells was evaluated, by flow cytometry, in the 3 categories of patients. Results suggest that B7-H1 is a novel surrogate marker potentially involved in AIDS progression. Immunotherapy in allergic patients stimulates B7- H1 expression and induces an APC-associated and IL-10 mediated loop thatmodulates allergic inflammation. The onset of relapse in Multiple Sclerosis is correlated with an altered balance of B7-H1/B-H3 expression on APC as well as a shift to type 1 cytokine p