Interferon-γ In Patients Research Articles

The implication of interleukin-2 on the expression of CD56bright, CD56dim, and interferon-γ in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: Interleukin-2 (IL-2) stimulation had been reported as having a beneficial impact to the expression of CD56bright, CD56dim, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in the case of immunological dysfunction diseases. However, in the case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the role of IL-2 had never been investigated. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of IL-2 on the expression of CD56bright, CD56dim, and IFN-γ in SLE patients. Methods: An experimental study was conducted by involving peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from six SLE patients. The study consisted of four groups based on IL-2 stimulation: D0 (0U/ml), D1 (50U/ml), D2 (150U/ml), and D3 (250U/ml); and they were then cultured for 72 hours. The levels of CD56bright and CD56dim were measured by FACSMelodyTM, while the levels of IFN-γ were measured using ELISA. Results: In group D0, D1, D2, and D3; the levels of CD56bright were 57.27±37.27, 241.16±64.41, 256.94±50.95, and 259.37±36.44 x1000 cells/mm3 respectively. Moreover, the levels of CD56dim were 812.85±167.37, 631.98±129.90, 616.42±157.97, and 615.90±155.57 x1000 cells/mm3 respectively. On the other hand, the levels of IFN-γ were 24.01±2.56, 26.09±4.79, 30.11±5.34, and 32.43±7.14 pg/ml respectively. Our analysis elucidated that the administration of IL-2 provided potential impact to the levels of CD56bright, but not to the levels of CD56dim and IFN-γ. Our findings indicated that the increased dosage of IL-2 resulted in a more significant impact on CD56bright. Conclusions: Our study clarifies that IL-2 provides a beneficial impact on CD56bright expression in SLE patients.

Changes of IL-6 And IFN-γ before and after the adverse events related to immune checkpoint inhibitors: A retrospective study.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have changed the status of tumor immunotherapy. ICIs-related adverse events (irAEs) have the high incidence and are difficult to predict and prevent. Researches have suggested that changes of cytokines were associated with irAEs. This study focused on the changes of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-γ in patients before and after irAEs and trying to find the biomarkers of irAEs. Collect basic data of patients who were treated with ICIs in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2017 to August 2021 and had irAEs. Make statistics on IL-6 and INF-γ in the blood before and after irAEs. A total of 10 patients were enrolled, including 7 males and 3 females. According to statistical analysis, the IL-6 concentration level after irAEs was significantly higher than before, and the difference was statistically significant (P = .023); the interferon-γ concentration level was not changed significantly from before, the difference was not statistically significant (P = .853). The elevation of IL-6 was associated with the occurrence of adverse reactions in ICIs.

Вміст тригерних компонентів системи протеолізу та їхніх регуляторів при розвитку патологій підшлункової залози

The content of the plasminogen activation system components (plasminogen, plasminogen tissue activator, and its inhibitor PAI-1) was investigated as well as the concentration of thrombomodulin, protein C, matrix metalproteinases (MMP -1, -2, -3, -8, -9, -10) and their inhibitor TIMP, growth factors content (such as transforming growth factor-β1, insulin-like growth factor-1, fibroblasts growth factor-2) and cytokine profile (interleukines IL-1β, -4, -6, -8, -10, tumor necrosis factor, interferon-γ in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic cancer (PC) were established. Khmelnitsky Regional Clinical Hospital patients aged 28-89 were selected for this study: 20 people with chronic pancreatitis (group CP); 20 people with pancreatic cancer (group PC); 20 conditionally healthy persons (control). Blood plasma samples and pancreatic tissue homogenates were obtained from all the patients. The studied indicators’ content in the experimental materials was determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using appropriate antibodies. At the level of systemic circulation, a statistically significant increase was found in most of the studied parameters under the CP conditions. However, PC was characterized by an increase of two blood plasma indications only (thrombomodulin and protein C). In contrast, the pancreatic sample tissue examination for both aforementioned pathologies revealed significant changes in the content of most metalloproteinases and cytokines under PC. This indicates the development of metastasis, angiogenesis, and immunomodulation-aimed local biochemical processes in the affected organ.

Serum Levels of Interleukin-4, Interleukin-10 and Interferon-γ in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

Background: The imbalance of T-helper (Th) lymphocyte cytokine production plays an important role in the immunopathogenesis of chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. Th1 cytokines are necessary for host antiviral immune response, while Th2 cytokines have an immunomodulatory role. Objectives: The current study aimed at determining the serum profile of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in patients with chronic HBV infection and to assess the correlation between the levels of the cytokines and ALT level in the patients. Methods: Sixty patients with chronic hepatitis B and 60 age and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The serum levels of Th1 cytokine, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Th2 cytokines, IL-4, and IL-10 were measured using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum ALT level was measured by the Colorimetry method. Results: The results showed that the level of IL-4 was significantly lower in patients in comparison with the controls (P 0.05). The concentration of IFN-γ was significantly higher in patients compared with the healthy controls (P < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between serum levels of IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ and nor was it found between the levels of these cytokines and serum ALT level. Conclusions: The results revealed enhanced Th1 response and reduced Th2 response, which is favored for the formation of a strong immune response and leads to viral elimination. The decrease of IL-4 indicated a lower viral load in the patients. In addition, a non-active disease resulted from the patients’ IL10 level showing no significant difference between the patients and the controls. Significant increase of IFN-γ in patients indicated the activation of Th1 cells. The immunological outcome can help in finding better treatment strategies. The results suggest that interferon therapy with low dose can be a helpful strategy. Although the decrease in ALT level was not significantly correlated with an increase in IFN-γ in the patients, the increase of IFN-γ level demonstrated a modulation in hepatocellular damage.

Abnormal expression of circulating and tumor-infiltrating carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 in patients with glioma

Glioma, the most prevalent primary tumor of the central nervous system, is known to evade immune surveillance and escape immune attacks by inducing immunosuppression. The homophilic interactions of the carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) serve a critical function in immunoregulation. In the present study, the expression levels of CEACAM1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from patients with gliomas were assessed. Furthermore, associations between CEACAM1 expression and multiple clinicopathological characteristics in patients with gliomas were analyzed. The results of the present study suggested that the expression of CEACAM1 in circulating T cells was markedly increased in patients with gliomas compared with control subjects, and was further increased in TILs. Patients with high-grade gliomas [World Health Organization (WHO) grade III–IV] demonstrated a significantly increased expression of CEACAM1 on T cells compared with those with low-grade gliomas (WHO grade I–II). Furthermore, the expression of CEACAM1 on T cells was negatively correlated with the Karnofsky score and the plasma level of interferon-γ in patients with gliomas. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the expression levels of CEACAM1 in high-grade glioma tissues (WHO grade III–IV) were increased compared with the expression levels in the controls, and were associated with the expression of CEACAM1 in TILs. In summary, the results of the present study indicate that homophilic interactions of CEACAM1 may participate in the progression and development of gliomas through their negative regulatory effects on T cells. Thus, CEACAM1 may be a promising candidate for targeted glioma immunotherapy.

Serum interleukin-6 and interferon-γ in patients with leprosy

Background Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and manifested by an immunological and clinical outcome, ranging from borderline lepromatous and lepromatous infections to tuberculoid and borderline tuberculoid infections. Cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α are associated with leprosy. Objective The aim was to assess IL-6 and IFN-γ in untreated patients with leprosy and compare these levels with those in healthy controls and with different parts of the disease spectrum. Patients and methods A case–control study was conducted on 90 untreated patients with leprosy and 30 healthy controls randomly selected from patients attending the Dermatology and Leprosy Hospital, Qena Governorate, Egypt. The patients were classified into tuberculoid, borderline tuberculoid, borderline-borderline, borderline lepromatous, and lepromatous (LL). IFN-γ and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results IL-6 and INF-γ were significantly higher in the patients than in the control group, with P value of 0.001 and 0.002, respectively. Regarding the serum level of INF-γ in all types of leprosy, there was a statistically significantly increase in paucibacillary leprosy and a nonsignificant increase in multibacillary leprosy; on the contrary, the results showed that serum level of IL-6 was statistically significantly increased in multibacillary leprosy and nonsignificantly increased in paucibacillary leprosy. Conclusion This study concluded that INF-γ and IL-6 may have a significant role in classifying various forms of leprosy and can be used as leprosy disease markers to predict the course and the prognosis of the disease.

Inhaled Drug Therapy 2016: The Year in Review.

Some recent salient publications related to inhaled drug therapy are discussed. Unexpectedly, a 2.5-μg once-daily dose of tiotropium (Respimat) had greater efficacy than the 5.0-μg daily dose. Occurrence of a reverse dose response serves to caution us that administering more drug is not always beneficial. Small-airway inflammation contributes to pathogenesis of asthma, especially severe asthma. However, there is no conclusive evidence that the use of small-particle aerosols to target small airways improves clinical outcomes in controlled clinical trials. Clinical outcomes of patients with symptomatic asthma have been better in "real-life" studies when fine-particle aerosols were compared with conventional (large-particle) aerosols. In subjects with COPD, the FLAME study indicates that a long-acting antimuscarinic agent/long-acting β-agonist combination was superior to an inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β-agonist combination in preventing exacerbations. Another study in children with asthma and adults with asthma or COPD showed that peak inhalation flow must be considered in the context of the dry powder inhaler resistance. Investigators from the United Kingdom have shown modest success in replacing the defective cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene in subjects with cystic fibrosis with a plasmid encoding the normal cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene packaged within a non-viral vector. Also, inhaled antibiotics in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and inhaled interferon-γ in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have shown encouraging results but are investigational at this time. Compared to combustion cigarettes, use of e-cigarettes reduces exposure to carcinogens and volatile organic compounds. However, high levels of benzaldehyde in the vapor from cherry-flavored cigarettes raise concerns about the safety of some food flavorings in e-cigarettes.

Evaluation of serum interleukin-12 and interferon-γ in patients with multiple warts treated with intralesional tuberculin injection

Evaluation of serum interleukin-12 and interferon-γ in patients with multiple warts treated with intralesional tuberculin injection

Osteoarticular tuberculosis: in search of new biomarkers

Background Our objectives were to evaluate the diagnostic utility of serum and synovial fluid concentration of adenosine deaminase, interlukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-γ in patients of osteoarticular tuberculosis (TB) and define a cutoff limit of these markers in the serum and local fluid for its diagnosis.

TH17 cells, interleukin-17 and interferon-γ in patients and households contacts of leprosy with multibacillary and paucibacillary forms before and after the start of chemotherapy treatment.

Studies on the immunology of leprosy are fundamental to the understanding of the various forms of clinical manifestation of the disease. In some diseases, lymphocytes TH17 and one of its key cytokines, interleukin-17 has been shown to be essential in developing an effective immune response. In leprosy, involvement of lymphocyte TH17 and interleukin-17 remains understudied. This study is the first investigation to examine the association between TH17 cells, interleukin-17 and interferon- γ in patients and households contacts of leprosy. To document the participation of TH17 cells and interleukin-17 in the immunology of leprosy, to observe the behavior of interferon-γ in relation to interleukin-17 and to verify the differences found between individuals paucibacillary, multibacillary and household contacts, we analyzed samples peripheral blood to identify TH-17 cells, interleukin-17 and IFN-γ; establishing relationships between all the groups. There was a significant difference in the results found in the comparison between the paucibacillary and multibacillary groups of patients (P < 0.001), as well with the household contacts (P < 0.005). The polychemotherapeutic treatment modified the profile of immune response in multibacillary patients compared to what was observed before the start of treatment. The principal finding was that TH17 lymphocytes and interleukin-17 actively participating in the immune response of Hansen's disease as well these cells can stimulate the cellular immunity.

Plasma levels of interlukin-4 and Interferon-γ in patients with chronic or healed cutaneous leishmaniasis.

In this study, the serum level of interferon-γ (IFN- γ) and interlukin-4 (IL-4) was evaluated as a marker of Th1 and Th2 immune response that influence the clinical course of cutaneous leishmaniasis. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 44 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (21 cases with healed lesions and 23 cases with chronic non-healing lesions. Thirty-two non-infected persons living in the area were considered as controls. Serum levels of IFN- γ and IL-4 were determined using ELISA, and the results along with clinical data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5. Serum IFN-γ level was not significantly different between various patient groups and control (P=0.27), but the serum level of IL-4 in patient groups was higher than in healthy subjects, and it was higher in patients with non-healed chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis than those with healed lesions (P<0.01). Serum IL-4 level is a good marker for evaluation of the clinical course of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Decreased Serum Level of Interferon-γ in Patients with Pityriasis Rosea.

Dear Editor: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common acute and self-limiting inflammatory dermatosis. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of this disorder remains unknown. Studies show that a proportion of PR may be attributed to human herpes virus type 6 (HHV6) or human herpes virus type 7 (HHV7) infections or to some medications1. A recent immunohistochemical study suggests that T lymphocyte-mediated cell immunity plays an important role in the development of PR2. Considering this information, we measured the serum levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-10 in patients with PR, in order to determine the association of these T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines with PR. In total, forty-six patients (22 men and 24 women) aged 12~59 years (average age: 26.89±7.56 years) who had PR for 2~180 days were included in this study. Forty-two healthy volunteers (21 men and 21 women) aged 21~33 years (average age: 27.43±3.45 years) were recruited as controls. The healthy controls were matched with PR patients in terms of sex and mean age (p<0.05). IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 20.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for the statistical analysis. We collected blood samples from the PR patients and healthy controls after obtaining their informed consent. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by using either a commercial immunoassay kit (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA), or a kit from BioSource Europe, SA (Nivelles, Belgium). This study was approved by the research ethics board of Department of Dermatology, No. 1 Hospital, Anhui Medical University. The results showed that the serum level of IFN-γ was significantly lower in PR patients (6.33±11.02 pg/ml) than in healthy controls (29.23±35.45 pg/ml) (p 0.05). Fig. 1 Serum levels of interferon-γ(IFN-γ) in patients with pityriasis rosea (PR) and in healthy controls. Statistical significance: p<0.05 vs. control. To date, only a few studies that discuss the association of the Th1/Th2 immune response with PR have been published. A study showed that tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors such as adalimumab could induce PR by downregulating the Th1 immune response3. In our study, a significant decrease in the serum level of IFN-γ was observed in patients with PR than in the healthy controls, but no statistically significant differences were observed in the levels of IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 between the two groups. Serum IFN-γ is produced by activated CD4+ T cells and activated natural killer cells and might be the most sensitive marker of the CD4+ T cells response to HHV-6 infection4. Gangemi et al.5 found that the serum level of IL-22 was significantly higher in patients with an early stage of PR than in healthy controls and that IL-22 could limit the transmission of HHV-7 infection in PR by enhancing the production of proinflammatory and antimicrobial molecules. Moreover, diverse, fractalkine-mediated intracellular signaling pathways were involved in the pathogenesis of PR via the fractalkine receptor CX3CR1 in natural killer cells, monocytes, CD8+ T cells, and CD4+ T cells6. The process by which CD4+ T cells produce IFN-γ and IL-22 is regulated by different signaling molecules. Recently, Qiu et al.7 first described the reciprocal relationship between IFN-γ and IL-22 production. IL-22 production is markedly enhanced when IFN-γ is absent. The detectable IL-22 mediates the up-regulation of CD27 expression in IFN-γ+ CD4+ T cells and thus affects their phenotype. Usually, acute viral infections induce an increase in the serum level of IFN-γ. Moreover, many studies have suggested the involvement of HHV infection in the pathogenesis of PR. Our findings seem to yield a contradictory result. We postulate that the decrease in the serum level of IFN-γ is most likely linked to the decreased number or impaired function of peripheral CD4+ T cells in the PR patients involved in this study. In conclusion, we speculate that our study is the first to demonstrate a depletion in the serum level of IFN-γ and that a weakened Th1 response may contribute to the pathogenesis of PR. Further studies are needed to elucidate the alteration of CD4+ T cells in PR and whether the decreased serum level of IFN-γ and the elevated serum level of IL-22 have a synergetic influence on the development of this acute dermatosis.

Decreased functional T lymphocyte‐mediated cytokine responses in patients with chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia

The degree of immunosuppression in patients with haematological malignancies treated with chemotherapy is routinely measured as number of circulating cells (preferable neutrophils) in peripheral blood. A parallel decline in the number of T cells is expected, but a possible alteration in their functionality has been less well explored. The ability of T cells to secrete more than one cytokine simultaneously is known to indicate protective immunity. The aim of this study was to determine whether the function of circulating T cells is altered in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. In this cross-sectional study, we used the FluoroSpot assay to investigate the proportion of T cells secreting either interferon-γ or interleukin-2, or both cytokines simultaneously, after anti-CD3 stimulation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 53 adult patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and 20 healthy individuals were investigated. There were significantly fewer T cells secreting interferon-γ in patients with neutropenia compared with healthy control subjects (P = 0.02), but the difference was greatest for dual cytokine-secreting T cells (P = 0.001). Furthermore, the amount of secreted cytokine per T cell appeared to be reduced in patients, compared with control subjects. Our results suggest that the functionality of T cells is altered in patients with haematological malignancies with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. In parallel with a decline in T cell count, this may further increase the risk of severe infections.

Excessive CD4+ T cells co-expressing interleukin-17 and interferon-γ in patients with Behçet's disease

Excessive T helper type 1 (Th1) cell activity has been reported in Behçet's disease (BD). Recently, association of Th17 cells with certain autoimmune diseases was reported, and we thus investigated circulating Th17 cells in BD. CD4(+) CD45RO(-) (naive) T cells were cultured with Th0-, Th1-, Th2- and Th17-related cytokines and antibodies, and their mRNA was studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When naive CD4(+) T cells were cultured with Th1- and Th17-related cytokines, interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA and interleukin (IL)-17 mRNA were up-regulated, respectively, in BD patients. Naive CD4(+) T cells cultured in a Th17 cell-inducing condition expressed IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) mRNA excessively. IL-17 mRNA expression was induced only when naive CD4(+) T cells were cultured in the presence of IL-23. CD4(+) T cells cultured with Th17 cytokines expressed excessive RAR-related orphan receptor C (RORC) mRNA. Using intracellular cytokine staining, we found that CD45RO(+) (memory) CD4(+) T cells producing IL-17 and IFN-γ simultaneously were increased significantly. Memory CD4(+) T cells producing IFN-γ but not IL-17 decreased profoundly in BD patients. CD4(+) T cells producing IL-17 and IFN-γ simultaneously were found in BD skin lesions. Collectively, we found excessive CD4(+) T cells producing IL-17 and IFN-γ (Th1/Th17) cells in patients with BD, and possible involvement of IL-23/IL-23R pathway for the appearance of excessive Th1/Th17 cells.

Diagnostic value of an enzyme-linked immunospot assay for interferon-γ in cutaneous tuberculosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay (T-SPOT.TB; Oxford Immunotec, Oxford, UK) for interferon-γ in patients with suspected cutaneous tuberculosis (TB). From March 2007 to June 2010, a total of 45 patients with suspected cutaneous TB were enrolled. Data on clinical characteristics of the patients and conventional laboratory results were collected, and blood samples were obtained for ELISPOT assay. Ten subjects (22.2%) had culture-confirmed TB, 2 (4.4%) subjects had probable TB, and the remaining 33 (73.3%) subjects did not have TB. Twenty-one patients with mycobacterial infection had available biopsy or surgical specimens for histopathologic examination and 16 (76.2%) specimens had pathologic features (granulomatous inflammation, caseating necrosis, or acid-fast bacilli) consistent with mycobacterial infection. Among these 16 patients, all 6 patients with TB and 3 patients with Mycobacterium marinum infection had positive ELISPOT results, but none of the patients with Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium chelonae, or Mycobacterium avium infection had positive ELISPOT results. Overall, 9 of 10 patients with culture-confirmed TB and both patients with probable TB had positive ELISPOT assay. For patients with nontuberculous mycobacteria infections, ELISPOT assay was positive only in patients with M. marinum and M. kansasii infection. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for cutaneous TB diagnosis by the ELISPOT assay were 91.6% (95% CI, 64.6–98.5%), 75.8% (95% CI, 59.0–87.2%), 57.9% (95% CI, 34.0–78.9%), and 96.2% (95% CI, 59.0–87.2%), respectively. In conclusion, ELISPOT assay can provide useful support in the diagnosis of cutaneous TB.

Diagnostic performance of an enzyme-linked immunospot assay for interferon-γ in skeletal tuberculosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay for interferon-γ in patients with suspected skeletal tuberculosis (TB). From March 2007 to June 2010, a total of 36 patients with suspected skeletal TB in a tertiary care hospital in Taiwan were enrolled. Twelve patients (35.3%) had culture-confirmed TB, three (8.8%) patients had probable TB, and the remaining 21 (58.3%) patients did not have TB. Fourteen patients with mycobacterial infection had available biopsy or surgical specimens for histopathological examination and 12 (85.7%) specimens had pathological features consistent with mycobacterial infection. Among the 12 patients with positive findings indicating mycobacterial infection, all seven patients with spinal TB and three of five patients with TB arthritis had positive ELISPOT assays. All nine patients with spinal TB had positive ELISPOT assays, but only four of six patients with TB arthritis had positive ELISPOT assays. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for skeletal TB diagnosis by the ELISPOT assay were 86.7%, 61.9%, 61.9%, and 86.7%, respectively. In conclusion, the ELISPOT assay can provide useful support in diagnosing skeletal TB, and spinal TB can be excluded based on a negative ELISPOT assay.

Differential Levels of Cytokines and Soluble Fas Ligand between Tuberculous and Malignant Effusions

Tuberculous pleurisy, which is characterized by an extensive inflammatory exudate in the pleural space, is a common manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection but is difficult to diagnose. This study compared concentrations of three cytokines (interferon-γ and interleukin [IL]-2 and -4) and soluble Fas ligand in serum and pleural effusions from 36 patients with tuberculous pleurisy, 30 with malignant pleurisy and 30 healthy volunteers. Interferon-γ concentration was significantly higher in serum and pleural effusions, and the concentration of soluble Fas ligand was significantly higher in pleural effusion, from patients with tuberculous pleurisy than in those with malignant pleurisy. Levels of IL-2 and IL-4 were also raised in serum, but failed to reach statistical significance. Interferon-γ and soluble Fas ligand levels were significantly higher in pleural effusion than in serum. Pleural soluble Fas ligand concentrations correlated linearly with those of interferon-γ in patients with tuberculous pleurisy. These findings suggest a predominant T-helper-1 response to M. tuberculosis infection.

Diagnostic value of an enzyme-linked immunospot assay for interferon-γ in genitourinary tuberculosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay for interferon-γ in patients with suspected genitourinary tuberculosis (TB). A total of 30 patients with suspected genitourinary TB at the National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, were prospectively enrolled from January 2007 to December 2009, and 12 of whom had positive urine culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Frequency and dysuria were the most common symptoms noted in 6 (50.0%) and 4 (33.3%) patients, respectively. Pyuria was the most common finding of urinalysis noted in 11 (91.7%) patients. Six (50.0%) patients had positive acid-fast stain in urine. Among the 30 patients, 13 patients had positive ELISPOT assay. Eleven patients with positive ELISPOT assay had culture-confirmed TB, and the remaining 2 patients without evidence of active TB had positive ELISPOT assay. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for genitourinary TB diagnosis by the ELISPOT assay were 91.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 59.8–99.6%), 88.9% (95% CI, 63.9–98.1%), 84.6% (95% CI, 53.7–97.3%), and 94.1% (95% CI, 69.2–96.7%), respectively. In conclusion, ELISPOT assay can provide useful support in diagnosing genitourinary TB.

Effect of ligustrazine injection on levels of interleukin-4 and interferon-γ in patients with bronchial asthma

To explore the effect of ligustrazine injection (LI) on serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in patients with bronchial asthma and determine the mechanism of action of LI in preventing and treating asthma. Sixty-eight patients with mild or moderate bronchial asthma were assigned to two groups equally according to their sequence number, odd or even. The conventional treatment was administered to both groups, and LI was given to the treatment group by ultrasonic spray inhalation twice a day but not to the control group. The therapeutic course for all was 2 weeks. Further, 30 healthy subjects who had no history of smoking were enrolled as the normal control group. The clinical condition scores, frequency of attacks and dosage of Terbutaline inhaled were scored and recorded on the first day of hospitalization (before treatment) and after treatment. At the same time, the indexes of lung function, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1%) and the peak expiratory flow (PEF) were determined before treatment. The levels of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in peripheral blood were detected by ELISA before and after treatment, and compared with that of the healthy control group. After treatment, the clinical condition scores were found to be lower, indexes of lung function were elevated, but serum level of IL-4 and ratio of IL-4/IFN-gamma were reduced in both groups, showing significant differences as compared to those before treatment (P<0.05). However, the changes in all the indexes were more significant in the treatment group than in the control group, also showing statistical significance (P<0.05). No significant difference was revealed when IFN-gamma levels were compared before and after treatment in both groups, though a lowering trend could be seen, significant difference could not be found in the comparison of IFN-gamma levels between groups after treatment (P>0.05). LI shows good clinical effect in treating bronchial asthma, and its mechanism might be related to the suppression of the synthesis of IL-4, thus leading to the inhibition of TH2 cell subset preponderant response and immune equilibrium regulation.

Glycine treatment decreases proinflammatory cytokines and increases interferon-γ in patients with Type 2 diabetes

Amino acids have been shown to stimulate insulin secretion and decrease glycated hemoglobin (A1C) in patients with Type 2 diabetes. In vitro, glycine reduces tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha secretion and increases interleukin-10 secretion in human monocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The aim of this study was to determine whether glycine modifies the proinflammatory profiles of patients with Type 2 diabetes. Seventy-four patients, with Type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 58.5 yr, average age of diagnosis was 5 yr, the mean body mass index was 28.5 kg/m2, the mean fasting glucose level was 175.5 mg/dl and the mean A1C level was 8%. They were allocated to one of two treatments, 5 g/d glycine or 5 g/d placebo, po tid, for 3 months. A1C levels of patients given glycine were significantly lower after 3 months of treatment than those of the placebo group. A significant reduction in TNF-receptor I levels was observed in patients given glycine compared with placebo. There was a decrease of 38% in the interferon (IFN)-gamma level of the group treated with placebo, whereas that of the group treated with glycine increased up to 43%. These data showed that patients treated with glycine had a significant decrease in A1C and in proinflammatory cytokines and also an important increase of IFN-gamma. Treatment with glycine is likely to have a beneficial effect on innate and adaptive immune responses and may help prevent tissue damage caused by chronic inflammation in patients with Type 2 diabetes.