Serum Levels Of IFN-gamma Research Articles

The protective effect of oral colitis-derived proteins in a murine model of inflammatory bowel disease is associated with an increase in γδ T cells in large intestinal mucosa

Oral tolerance has previously been shown effective in preventing several immune-mediated disorders in animal models. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of oral colitis-extracted proteins (CEP) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in BALB/c mice and to explore the relative role of the intestinal mucosal gammadelta T cells. The effect of five low oral doses of CEP on colitis was evaluated by clinical manifestation and histological lesions. Serum cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The percentages of the intestinal mucosal gammadelta T cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. CEP-fed colitis mice showed less severe symptoms and histological injury than bovine serum albumin (BSA)-fed control mice. Tolerized mice developed an increase in TGF-beta1 and no change in IFN-gamma serum levels. Increases in TCRgammadelta(+) T cells and CD8alpha(+)TCRgammadelta(+) T cells in small intestinal mucosal lymphocytes and no quantitative change in large intestinal mucosal lymphocytes were demonstrated in colitis mice compared to untreated mice. The proportions of TCRgammadelta(+) T cells and CD8alpha(+)TCRgammadelta(+) T cells in large intestinal mucosal lymphocytes from CEP-fed colitis mice were significantly higher compared to BSA-fed controls. The disease activity index negatively correlated with the percentages of large intestinal mucosal gammadelta T cells. Furthermore, mucosal repair in repair-period mice was also accompanied by increases in TCRgammadelta(+) T cells and CD8alpha(+)TCRgammadelta(+) T cells in large intestinal mucosal lymphocytes. Improvement of DSS-induced colitis that resulted from oral administration of colitis-extracted proteins is associated with an increase in gammadelta T cells in large intestinal mucosa.

Effect of thalidomide and pentoxifylline on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)

Background Autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats is a classical experimental model of demyelinating inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. EAE is widely accepted for study of immune-inflammatory mechanisms in the CNS related to multiple sclerosis (MS) due to similar clinical evolution. Objectives In the present study we investigated the effects of Thalidomide and pentoxifylline during EAE development in Lewis rats. Methods EAE was induced in Lewis rats and treatment with Thalidomide or pentoxifylline was performed. Clinical evaluation was carried out daily. Histopathological analysis of the brain tissue and spinal cord was performed. Griess method was used for determination of NO serum levels. TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma serum levels were investigated using ELISA method. Results Thalidomide and pentoxifylline treatment is associated with significant reduction of neuroinflammation in CNS. Serum levels of NO, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha showed a marked reduction. Such findings were correlated with improvement of clinical symptoms, particularly in thalidomide treated rats. Conclusions Taken together the data suggested that thalidomide and pentoxifylline may be therapeutic options for the treatment of MS, however further experiments must be performed to investigate this hypothesis.

Lesional skin vascular endothelial growth factor levels correlate with clinical severity in patients with cement allergic contact dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis to cement is a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction in which cytokines interferon-gamma (IEN-y) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) may be involved in persisting erythema and oedema. VEGF and IFN-gamma levels in serum and skin lesions were measured in 32 Egyptian building workers with chronic allergic contact dermatitis due to occupational exposure to cement and 20 healthy controls. Dermatitis patients had significantly higher levels of serum and lesional skin VEGF and IFN-gamma than controls. A significant positive correlation was found between tissue VEGF and the eczema area and severity index (EASI) score in dermatitis patients (r = 0.86). VEGF and IFN-gamma may play a role in the pathogenesis of cement allergic contact dermatitis.

Expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokine-associated transcription factors, T-bet and GATA-3, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and skin lesions of patients with psoriasis vulgaris

Psoriasis is considered as a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, and the Th1 response has been established as the major immune agent in its pathomechanisms. The relative expression of Th1 and Th2 transcription factors, T-bet and GATA-3, resulting in a swing in the Th1/Th2 pendulum, has been implicated in a number of immunological diseases. However, their expression and correlation with psoriasis has not yet been studied. Our aim was to evaluate the expression of T-bet and GATA-3 in psoriatic patients and determine their correlation with serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4. Sera, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and skin lesions were taken from 23 patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 were measured by ELISA. T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA expression in PBMCs was analyzed by RT-PCR. Lesional expression and distribution of CD4, CD8, T-bet and GATA-3 were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Blood and skin samples of healthy individuals served as controls. A markedly higher IFN-gamma and lower IL-4 concentration in the serum of psoriatic patients was found. A significantly higher expression of T-bet mRNA and a lower expression of GATA-3 mRNA in PBMCs, and consequently, a much higher T-bet/GATA-3 ratio in patients than in controls were shown. T-bet mRNA expression was strongly correlated with serum IFN-gamma secretion in patients; furthermore, the correlation between T-bet/GATA-3 ratio and IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio was revealed. We also observed a significant increase in CD4+ cells and T-bet positive cells in psoriatic lesions. These results suggested that T-bet and GATA-3 might be regulator genes for psoriasis via the Th1/Th2 balance, and the Th1-specific transcription factor, T-bet, may play an important role in the development and maintenance of psoriasis.

Immunological tolerance induced by galectin-1 in rat allogeneic renal transplantation

The existed literatures indicated that galectin-1 has anti-inflammatory effects and plays a pivotal role in autoimmune diseases. Present study was to identify the roles of galectin-1 in acute animal renal allograft rejection. Rat acute rejection models were erected by allogeneic renal transplantation. Galectin-1 injection was performed in different concentrations in renal recipients post-transplantation. Recipient survivals, CD8+ T cell proliferation, production of IFN-gamma, levels of serum CD30, enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent spot assay (ELISPOT) and immunohistochemistry were observed or tested 7days after renal transplantation. Galectin-1 injection can prolong the recipient animal survival, reduce the serum levels of IFN-gamma, soluble CD30, percentage of CD8+ T cell subset, CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and IFN-gamma ELISPOT frequency for allograft recipients. The therapeutic effects of galectin-1 injection on recipient rats were dose-dependent. Galectin-1 plays an important role in CD8+ T cell-mediated renal rejection by inducing immunological tolerance.

Regulation of interferon-γ, interleukin-4 and interleukin-2 bySchizonepeta tenuifoliathrough differential effects on nuclear factor-κB, NFATc2 and STAT4/6

Contact with antigen on T-cells is made via the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex plus CD28, resulting in the production of cytokines including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and interferon (IFN)-gamma. In particular, dysregulation of IFN-gamma and IL-4 accounts in part for organ-specific autoimmune diseases, allergic inflammation and other chronic inflammatory disorders. The dried above-ground parts of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq are used for the treatment of common cold and skin rashes observed in allergic dermatitis, psoriasis and other dermatological disorders in oriental medicine. In the present study, we investigated whether S. tenuifolia water extract (STE) may modulate systemic levels of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-2 in anti-CD3-stimulated mice and the production of those cytokines in anti-CD3-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In addition, the effects of STE on anti-CD3-induced activation of several transcription factors were examined. Oral administration of STE significantly reduced the serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 from anti-CD3-treated mice but enhanced those of IL-2. Similar patterns were demonstrated in anti-CD3-stimulated splenocytes and PBMCs in vitro. Further analysis showed that STE enhanced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)c2 but reduced that of the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB. The downregulation of IFN-gamma and IL-4 was not mediated by its effects on signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)4 and STAT6 activation. These results suggest that the differential regulation of STE on IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-2 may be due to its suppression of NF-kappaB, concomitant with its enhancement of NFATc2. Further mechanistic work is required to investigate the role of STE on its modulation of anti-CD3-induced cytokines.

Oral Administration of Paramylon, a .BETA.-1,3-D-Glucan Isolated from Euglena gracilis Z Inhibits Development of Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in NC/Nga Mice

Paramylon is a beta-1,3-D-glucan isolated from Euglena gracilis Z. This study was designed to evaluate the suppressive effects of the oral administration of paramylon on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions induced by repeated application of 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB) in sensitized NC/Nga mice. The effects of paramylon were assessed by measuring macroscopical and histopathological findings of skin, ear swelling, serum levels of total IgE, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-18 and IL-12 contents in the skin lesions. Oral administration of paramylon inhibited the development of AD-like skin lesions as exemplified by a significant decrease in dermatitis scores for the back, ear swelling and hypertrophy of the skin, infiltration of inflammatory cells in the skin, and serum IgE levels. Oral administration of paramylon reduced serum levels of both IL-4 and IFN-gamma and IL-18 and IL-12 contents in the skin lesions. Oral administration of paramylon did not cause weight loss, as was observed with prednisolone. These results suggest that paramylon inhibits the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice by suppressing both the T-helper (Th) 1 and Th 2 cell responses. Our results indicate that paramylon treatment could provide an effective alternative therapy for the management of AD.

Acute Effects of Intravenous Administration of Pamidronate in Patients with Osteoporosis

We investigated acute effects of intermittent large dose bisphophonate therapy in osteoporotic patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were incubated with alendronate (100 µM) for 18 hr, in vitro and cytokine expressions were measured by real-time RT-PCR. Pamidronate 30 mg was administered on 26 osteoporotic patients; and acute phase reactants, inflammatory cytokines and bone biomarkers were measured. The in vitro study showed significant increase in mRNA expression of IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ. A notable rise in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was observed over 3 days after pamidronate infusion (P=0.026). Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ were also significantly increased (P=0.009, 0.014, 0.035, respectively) and the increase in IL-6 levels were strongly correlated with CRP levels (P=0.04). Serum calcium and c-telopeptide levels rapidly decreased after the treatment (P=0.02, <0.001, respectively). This study showed that mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines at peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) level were observed within 18 hr and marked elevation of inflammatory cytokines and acute phase reactants were demonstrated after pamidronate infusion at the dose for osteoporosis. Our studies confirmed that intermittent large dose aminobisphosphonate causes acute inflammation.

Selective blockade of endothelial NF‐κB pathway differentially affects systemic inflammation and multiple organ dysfunction and injury in septic mice

Endothelium has long been considered both a source and a target of systemic inflammation. However, to what extent endothelial activation contributes to systemic inflammation remains unclear. This study addresses the relative contribution of endothelial activation to systemic inflammation and multiple organ dysfunction and injury (MOD/I) in an E. coli peritonitis model of sepsis. We prevented endothelial activation using transgenic (TG) mice that conditionally overexpress a mutant I-kappaBalpha, a NF-kappaB inhibitor, selectively on endothelium. TG mice and their transgene negative littermates (WT) were injected with saline or E. coli (10(8) CFU per mouse). At 7 h after E. coli infection, markers of systemic inflammation, endothelial activation, and MOD/I were assessed. WT-E. coli mice showed significantly increased serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, IL-6, KC, and MCP-1; tissue levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, KC, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1; endothelial leakage index in heart, lungs, liver, and kidney; significantly increased serum levels of AST, ALT, BUN, and creatinine; and increased mortality. Blockade of NF-kappaB-mediated endothelial activation in TG mice had no effects on serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, IL-6, KC, and MCP-1 (markers of systemic inflammation), and tissue levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, KC, and MCP-1, but significantly reduced tissue levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (markers of endothelial inflammation and activation) in those four organs. TG-E. coli mice displayed reversed endothelial leakage index; reduced serum levels of AST, ALT, BUN, and creatinine; and improved survival. Our data demonstrate that endothelial NF-kappaB-driven inflammatory response contributes minimally to systemic inflammation, but plays a pivotal role in septic MOD/I, suggesting that endothelium is mainly a target rather than a source of systemic inflammation.

Expression of regulatory T cells and related cytokines in mice allogenic corneal transplantation rejection

To study the changes of CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD8(+)CD103(+) regulatory T cells and their relevant cytokines in corneal allograft transplantation in mice. BABL/c (H-2(d)) mice received corneal allografts from C3H/He (H-2(k)) mice were served as the experimental group. BABL/c (H-2(d)) mice received corneal from BABL/c (H-2(d)) mice were used as the control group. Corneal graft survival time was recorded pre-, 3rd day, 7th day, 4th week, 8th week post-operatively. Infiltration of inflammatory cells and corneal neovascularization were evaluated by histopathologic examination. The percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD8(+)CD103(+) T cell in peripheral blood and spleen was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-4, gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) and IL-1beta in serum and aqueous humor was measured by enzyme-linked immunospecific assay (ELISA). The graft rejection in experimental group occurred at 7 days to 4 weeks after the operation, averaged (14.79 +/- 1.02) days. The grafts in the control group remained clear within 8 weeks observation and the survival time is much longer than that of the allografts (chi(2) = 46.934, P = 0.000). Flow cytometry showed that the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cell in peripheral blood in the control group after surgery was (3.36 +/- 0.29)%, (4.09 +/- 0.44)%, (5.44 +/- 0.35)%, (5.73 +/- 0.53)% at day 3, day 7, 4th week, and 8th week, respectively, which was significantly higher than that in the experimental group [(2.50 +/- 0.39)%, (3.24 +/- 0.25)%, (4.20 +/- 0.45)%, (4.18 +/- 0.14)%; t = 3.828, 2.898, 3.780, 4.892; P < 0.05]. On the other hand, CD8(+)CD103(+) T cell in peripheral blood in the experimental group after surgery was (2.20 +/- 0.33)%, (2.79 +/- 0.57)%, (4.55 +/- 1.03)%, (4.31 +/- 0.07)% at different periods, which was much higher than that in the control group (t = 7.133, 4.876, 5.196, 19.960; P < 0.05). The changes of CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD8(+)CD103(+) T cells in the spleen was earlier than those in peripheral blood. ELISA showed the expression of IL-10 and IL-4 in the serum in experimental group after surgery was much lower than that in the control group (t = 3.203, 3.141, 3.012, 2.869 and 2.340, 6.681, 8.839, 8.574; P = 0.011, 0.012, 0.013, 0.019 and 0.053, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000). The serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-1beta in experimental group were higher than that in the control group (t = 3.508, 3.265, 4.402, 5.539 and 3.630, 5.796, 1.728, 0.660; P = 0.006, 0.011, 0.002, 0.000 and 0.005, 0.000, 0.115, 0.524). Furthermore, the cytokine levels in the aqueous humor behaved similarly with those in the serum. The down-regulation of CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg, IL-10 and IL-4 and the up-regulation of CD8(+)CD103(+) Treg, IFN-gamma and IL-1beta in mice allograft corneal rejection may play an important role in allograft rejection.

Is there any relationship between serum and urine neopterin and serum interferon‐γ levels in the activity of Behcet's disease?

Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem vasculitic disorder. There is no reliable laboratory marker that indicates disease activity. Neopterin is an immunological marker of cellular immune activation, which is secreted by monocytes/macrophages as a result of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion by activated T lymphocytes. We aimed to investigate serum and urine neopterin levels in BD patients. Forty-five patients who were diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Study Group for BD and 45 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Disease activity was considered by clinical findings. Serum and urine neopterin levels and serum IFN-gamma levels were measured. The mean values of serum and urine neopterin levels were 12.68 +/- 4.87 nmol/L and 167.53 +/- 148.73 micromol/mol creatinine, respectively, in BD patients (P = 0.000 and P = 0.008, respectively), which were statistically significantly different from the control group. However, there was no significant statistical difference between serum and urine neopterin levels of the clinically active and inactive patients. It was also found that the mean value of serum IFN-gamma levels was higher in healthy controls than in BD patients (P = 0.000). We conclude that serum and urinary neopterin measurement can not be used as a reliable laboratory marker as the BD patients' serum and urinary neopterin levels do not increase in the active stage even though these levels increase when compared to healthy controls.

Effect of levothyroxine treatment on clinical symptoms and serum cytokine levels in euthyroid patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria and thyroid autoimmunity

Screening for thyroid autoimmunity in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is generally recommended. However, there are not yet sufficient data as to whether levothyroxine treatment is beneficial for the clinical symptoms of CIU in patients with thyroid autoimmunity. We investigated the effect of levothyroxine treatment on clinical symptoms and serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-10 and interferon (IFN)-gamma levels in euthyroid patients with CIU and thyroid autoimmunity. In total, 15 patients with CIU and positive thyroid autoantibodies were randomized to receive either levothyroxine plus 5 mg/day desloratadine (suppression group, n = 8) or 5 mg/day desloratadine alone (control group, n = 7) for 12 weeks. Clinical symptoms of CIU, thyroid hormone levels, thyroid antibodies and serum cytokine levels were assessed at baseline and after the treatment. There were significant improvements in pruritus score and severity of weals in both groups compared with baseline values, but when the two groups were compared, there was no significant difference in the patients' clinical symptoms. Thyroid antibody titres were not different according to intragroup and intergroup analysis. In the suppression group, serum IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels were increased after treatment with levothyroxine compared with baseline values and there was a borderline statistical significance (P = 0.05 for both). These results suggest that levothyroxine treatment is not a reasonable option in euthyroid patients with CIU and thyroid autoimmunity. Augmentation of cytokine production after levothyroxine treatment seems to be related to the immunomodulatory effects of TSH-suppressive treatment.

Th-1/Th-2 Cytokine Pattern in Human Amoebic Colitis

Amoebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica, is still considered a major health problem in developing countries. Since the immune response during human amoebiasis has not been clearly defined, we chose to evaluate cytokine production in patients suffering from amoebic colitis. A case-control association study was carried out on 62 subjects, including 31 patients with amoebic colitis and 31 healthy controls (age, sex and geographic region-matched). Serum levels of IL-12, IFN-gamma, IL-13 and IL-5 were measured by solid-phase sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbant assay. Serum levels of IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-13 and IL-5 were higher in the patients with amoebic colitis than in healthy controls, but were only statistically increased for IL-5 (p = 0.04) and IL-13 (p = 0.014). Stratification of patients according to gender revealed that IL-13 was significantly elevated in men as compared to levels measured in women (p = 0.04). These findings suggest that E. histolytica induce a mixed Th-1/Th-2 response with a polarization toward Th-2 during the early stage of amoebiasis, which may aide in developing a clinical illness.

Expression of IFN‐γ before and after treatment of oral lichen planus with 0.1% fluocinolone acetonide in orabase

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic inflammatory mucosal disease in which T-cell-mediated immune responses are implicated in the pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 0.1% fluocinolone acetonide in orabase (FAO) on the in situ expression of IFN-gamma in patients with OLP. Twenty OLP patients were enrolled in this study. Biopsy specimens and serum samples were obtained before and 1-month after the treatment with 0.1% FAO. In situ expression and serum levels of IFN-gamma were determined using immunohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively. The number of IFN-gamma-positive mononuclear cells in OLP lesions before the treatment was significantly higher as compared with that after the treatment. Similarly, the mean number of total mononuclear cells was clearly decreased after the treatment. However, the serum levels of IFN-gamma were not detectable. Our results suggest that IFN-gamma expression in OLP tissue may involve in the immunopathogenesis and the treatment with 0.1% FAO had an immunomodulating effect on the decrease of IFN-gamma.

Experimental model in rats for study on transmission dynamics and evaluation of Clonorchis sinensis infection immunologically, morphologically, and pathologically

This study aims to gain a better insight into the transmission patterns and immunologic profile of Clonorchis sinensis infection and make a headway on the pathogenesis regarding cholangiocarcinoma and hepatic lesions. Experimental models orally infected by C . sinensis metacercariae were constructed in rats. Immunological assays were performed to measure serum level of IgA, IgE, IgG1, IgG2a, IFN-gamma, and IL-4. Infection parameters were assessed by worm recovery rate, eggs per gram faece and worm size. Pathological sections with livers were managed with immunofluorescence, hematoxylin, eosin, and Masson's trichrome staining to evaluate the hepatic pathological changes. Interestingly, rats infected with only one C . sinensis metacercariae even gained a high worm recovery rate of 83.3% compared with rats infected with more metacercariae. Serological changes according to different infection doses indicated that immune response presented a tendency to Th2 type by expressing transient high level of IgG1, IL-4, and IgE. Hepatic tissues appeared inflammatory and fibrotic, revealed by different stainings. Intrahepatic bile ducts displayed cholangiectasis and proliferation with excreted/secreted antigen histologically located. C . sinensis, as a fish-borne zoonosis, presented novel transmission patterns which explained high infection rate in endemic areas; infection rate of C . sinensis was frequency-dependent and dose-related. Humoral immunity played a prevalent role in resisting to C . sinensis based on the rat models. C . sinensis infection played an undoubted role in biliary and hepatic diseases.

Increased Expression of Activation‐Induced Cytidine Deaminase is Associated with Anti‐CCP and Rheumatoid Factor in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with higher levels of autoantibodies and IL-17. Here, we investigated if ectopic lymphoid follicles and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from RA patients exhibit increased activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), and if increased AID is correlated with serum levels of autoantibodies and IL-17. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that organized AID(+) germinal centres were observed in six of the 12 RA synovial samples, and AID(+) cells were found almost exclusively in the B-cell areas of these follicles. Aggregated but not organized lymphoid follicles were found in only one OA synovial sample without AID(+) cells. Significantly higher levels of AID mRNA (Aicda) detected by RT-PCR were found in the PBMCs from RA patients than PBMCs from normal controls (P < 0.01). In the PBMCs from RA patients, AID was expressed predominately by the CD10(+)IgM(+)CD20(+) B-cell population and the percentage of these cells that expressed AID was significantly higher than in normal controls (P < 0.01). AID expression in the PBMCs correlated significantly and positively with the serum levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) (P </= 0.0001) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) (P = 0.0005). Serum levels of IFN-gamma (P = 0.0005) and IL-17 (P = 0.007), but not IL-4, also exhibited positive correlation with the expression of AID. These results suggest that the higher levels of AID expression in B cells of RA patients correlate with, and may be associated with the higher levels of T helper cell cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-17, leading to the development of anti-CCP and RF.

T-cell cytokine production and endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy

This study assessed changes in serum levels of cytokines IFNgamma and IL-10 (biomarkers of inflammatory changes) and soluble biomarkers sICAM-1 and sE-selectin (biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction) in diabetic patients with and without nephropathy. IFNgamma and IL-10 were significantly elevated in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) compared with controls and diabetic patients without DN. IFNgamma and IL-10 levels were significantly increased after haemodialysis. sICAM-1 and sE-selectin were significantly higher in diabetic, DN and ESRD groups compared with controls, and sICAM-1 but not sE-selectin was increased after haemodialysis.

Circulating Levels of Interferon-γ in Course of Hepatitis C Virus-Related Arthritis

The aim was to weigh the serum concentrations of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), a cytokine that enhances Th1-cell differentiation and suppresses collagen synthesis and angiogenesis, in two apparently distinct diseases, hepatitis C virus-related arthritis (HCVrA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which share some overlapping immunological features. In this study, IFN-gamma serum levels were assayed by an ELISA method in 21 HCVrA patients and in 16 with RA. Very low IFN-gamma serum levels were found in five out of 21 patients with HCVrA and only in three out of 16 RA patients. Median value (range) resulted decrease in both HCVrA and RA groups, that is, 0.29 (0.04-1.49) versus 0.20 (0.05-1.18) IU/mL, P = 0.58. No correlation was evidenced with hepatic and arthritic involvements, nor between IFN-gamma serum levels and viral replication and moreover with the positivity of antinuclear antibody, rheumatoid factor, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides antibodies. These results show that IFN-gamma behavior appears similar in HCVrA and RA groups reinforcing the lack of significant differences between HCVrA and RA patients. Low circulating levels could be explained with the fact that IFN-gamma is not an isolate cytokine, but a piece of composite system regulated in a complex fashion, with many different factors contributing.

Evaluation of IFN-γ Serum Level in Nephropatic Type 2 Diabetic Patients

The present study was aimed to examine the serum level of IFN-gamma in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropatic complications. In this experimental study, serum samples were obtained from 100 type 2 diabetic patients suffering from nephropathy and 100 healthy controls. Serum level of IFN-gamma was analyzed by ELISA. Results of this study showed that the mean serum level of IFN-gamma was 16.09 +/- 2.04 and 4.03 +/- 1.00 pg mL(-1) in nephropathic patients and healthy controls, respectively. Statistical analysis of data showed that the difference in the IFN-gamma serum level was significant between nephropathic patients and controls. Due to the elevated level of IFN-gamma in nephropathic patients, it can be possibly concluded that IFN-gamma is involved in nephropathy complication of type 2 diabetes.

Increased serum interleukin‐5 and vascular endothelial growth factor in children with acute mycoplasma pneumonia and wheeze

Acute mycoplasma pneumonia may be accompanied by wheeze in some children considered not to have asthma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate cytokine secretion in children with acute mycoplasma pneumonia and wheeze. We studied 58 patients with mycoplasma pneumonia (12 with wheeze, Group 1; 46 without wheeze, Group 2) and 36 patients of non-mycoplasma pneumonia (Group 3). Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The mean +/- SD IL-5 level of Group 1 was 97.1 +/- 73.0 pg/ml, which was significantly higher than that of Group 2 (28.2 +/- 32.2 pg/ml) and that of Group 3 (35.7 +/- 42.0 pg/ml). The mean +/- SD VEGF level of Group 1 was 687.5 +/- 385.8 pg/ml, which was significantly higher than that of Group 2 (310.0 +/- 251.9 pg/ml) and that of Group 3 (402.3 +/- 279.5 pg/ml). No significant differences in serum levels of IL-4, IFN-gamma, and IgE were observed between the groups. Our results show that children with mycoplasma pneumonia and wheeze have significantly higher serum levels of IL-5 and VEGF. These increased immune responses may be associated with the pathophysiological mechanisms by which the Mycoplasma pneumoniae contribute to the development of wheeze during acute mycoplasma pneumonia.