Plasma Eotaxin Levels Research Articles

Eotaxin-1 Levels in Patients with Myocardial Infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Eotaxin-1, an eosinophil-specific chemoattractant, has been shown to be overexpressed in human atherosclerotic lesions. Eotaxin-1 levels are higher in coronary artery disease patients than in healthy individuals. In this study, we aimed to determine the eotaxin-1 concentrations of patients with myocardial infarction and to investigate the role of eotaxin-1 in myocardial infarction. The study included 42 patients diagnosed with AMI (patients with suspected AMI based on history, physical examination, ECG, and biochemical markers and confirmed by angiography) and 40 healthy controls. Plasma eotaxin-1 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eotaxin-1, troponin-I, CK, and CKMB levels were statistically higher in the patient group than in the control group. ROC analysis demonstrated that eotaxin-1 gave a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 48% once the cutoff value was 341.6 pg/mL. Additionally, the ROC analysis showed that troponin I yielded a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 91% when the cutoff value was 0.025 µg/L. Eotaxin-1/eosinophils appear to have a role in coronary artery disease independent of known risk factors. Accordingly, this study and recent studies suggest that eotaxin-1 may be useful in the diagnosis of AMI in addition to other cardiac markers.

Cytokines and chemokines levels in primary HPV infection: a pilot study.

The purpose of the study was to compare cytokines (CK) and chemokines concentrations in blood and cervico-vaginal samples between human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative women, who had no previous history of HPV infection. A case-control study compares the activity and the concentration of CK/chemokines between 19 HPV-positive and 22 HPV-negative women matched by age. Plasma and cervico-vaginal levels of CK and chemokines were measured using cytofluorimetric analysis and expressed as mean of percentages. Plasma rates of interleukin (IL)-6 were significantly greater in HPV-negative women (mean value of 5.20±4.79pg/ml) in comparison with HPV-positive women (mean value of 2.57±3.09pg/ml) (p=0.001). On the contrary, plasma levels of Eotaxin and hMCP-1 were significantly higher in HPV-positive women, with a mean value of 13.87±4.54pg/ml (p=0.022) and 53.53±19.51pg/ml (p=0.005), respectively. Differences in cervico-vaginal CK/chemokines concentrations were statistically not significant. Difference in plasma concentrations of IL-6, Eotaxin, IL-1β and hMCP-1 was statistically significant even by analyzing HPV-16/18 and multiple HPV genotypes infections. Primary HPV infection shows a characteristic pattern of plasma CK/chemokines concentration as opposed to HPV-negative subjects and persistent HPV infection. Keywords: chemokines; cytokines; HPV primary infection; plasma pattern.

Effect of antidepressant treatment on plasma levels of neuroinflammation-associated molecules in patients with somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain around the orofacial region.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and atypical odontalgia (AO) are examples of somatic symptom disorders with predominant pain around the orofacial region. Neuroinflammation is thought to play a role in the mechanisms, but few studies have been conducted. We aimed to better understand the role of neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology and treatment of BMS/AO. Plasma levels of 28 neuroinflammation-related molecules were determined in 44 controls and 48 BMS/AO patients both pretreatment and 12-week post-treatment with duloxetine. Baseline plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1β (p<.0001), IL-1 receptor antagonist (p<.001), IL-6 (p<.0001), macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (p<.0001), and platelet-derived growth factor-bb (.04) were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Plasma levels of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p<.001) and decreased with treatment (.009). Plasma levels of eotaxin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor decreased significantly with treatment (p<.001, .022, and .029, respectively). Inflammatory mechanisms may be involved in the pathophysiology and/or treatment response of somatic symptom disorders with predominant pain around the orofacial region.

Plasma cytokines as potential biomarkers of kidney damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a heterogeneous chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder characterized by an exacerbated expression of cytokines and chemokines in different tissues and organs. Renal involvement is a significant contributor to the morbidity and mortality of systemic lupus erythematosus, and its diagnosis is based on renal biopsy, an invasive procedure with a high risk of complications. Therefore, the development of alternative, non-invasive diagnostic tests for kidney disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is a priority. To evaluate the plasma levels of a panel of cytokines and chemokines using multiplex xMAP technology in a cohort of Colombian patients with active and inactive systemic lupus erythematosus, and to evaluate their potential as biomarkers of renal involvement. Plasma from 40 systemic lupus erythematosus non-nephritis patients and 80 lupus nephritis patients with different levels of renal involvement were analyzed for 39 cytokines using Luminex xMAP technology. Lupus nephritis patients had significantly increased plasma eotaxin, TNF-α, interleukin-17-α, interleukin-10, and interleukin-15 as compared to the systemic lupus erythematosus non-nephritis group. Macrophage-derived chemokine, growth regulated oncogene alpha, and epidermal growth factor were significantly elevated in systemic lupus erythematosus non-nephritis patients when compared to lupus nephritis individuals. Plasma eotaxin levels allowed a discrimination between systemic lupus erythematosus non-nephritis and lupus nephritis patients, for which we performed a receiver operating characteristic curve to confirm. We observed a correlation of eotaxin levels with active nephritis (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index). Our data indicate that circulating cytokines and chemokines could be considered good predictors of renal involvement in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Synovial Fluid Eotaxin-1 Levels May Reflect Disease Progression in Primary Knee Osteoarthritis Among Elderly Han Chinese: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The CC chemokine family member eotaxin-1, also named chemokine C-C motif ligand 11 (CCL11), has been detected in knee osteoarthritis (OA) and could induce breakdown of cartilage matrix. This study was performed to investigate the plasma and synovial fluid eotaxin-1 levels with the disease progression in elderly Han Chinese with primary knee OA. A total of 143 elderly primary knee OA patients and 135 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was performed to evaluate the clinical severity. The radiographic severity was assessed by Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading. Plasma and synovial fluid (SF) eotaxin-1 levels were explored using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SF levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were also examined. Elevated plasma eotaxin-1 levels were found in knee OA patients compared with healthy controls. Eotaxin-1 levels in SF of knee OA patients with K-L grade 4 were significantly elevated compared with those with K-L grades 2 and 3. Meanwhile, knee OA patients with K-L grade 3 had significantly increased SF levels of eotaxin-1 compared with those with K-L grade 2. Plasma eotaxin-1 levels in different K-L grading did not reach significant difference. Eotaxin-1 levels in SF of knee OA patients were significantly associated with disease severity evaluated by KL grading criteria. In addition, eotaxin-1 levels in SF were positively related to clinical severity illustrated by WOMAC as well as biochemical markers MMP-3 and IL-6. Eotaxin-1 levels in SF instead of plasma, were independently and positively related to the disease severity in elderly knee OA patients. The inhibition of eotaxin-1 and its related signaling pathways may serve as a novel therapeutic approach for OA progression.

Evaluation of saliva and plasma cytokine biomarkers in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

The aim of this study was to investigate potential biomarkers in human saliva and plasma to aid in the early diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Saliva and plasma samples obtained from OSCC patients (n=41) and non-oral cancer patients (n=24) were analyzed by Luminex Bead-based Multiplex Assay. Data were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) to evaluate the predictive power of 14 biomarkers individually for OSCC diagnosis. The plasma level of IP-10 in early OSCC differed significantly from that in controls. Among the salivary biomarkers, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MIP-1β, eotaxin and IFN-γ and TNF-α showed significant differences between OSCC patients and controls. With respect to carcinogenesis, significant differences in plasma levels of eotaxin, G-CSF, and IL-6 were found between OSCC stages III/IV and OSCC stages I/II. The area under the curve (AUC) for OSCC vs. control was greater than 0.7 for plasma IP-10 and saliva IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. The study findings indicate that salivary biomarkers may serve a useful role as a complementary adjunct for the early detection of oral OSCC. With regard to the evaluation of tumour progression, plasma eotaxin, G-CSF, and IL-6 may help in the detection of advanced OSCC. However, the correlation between saliva and plasma biomarkers in OSCC was weak.

Effects of aerobic exercise training on peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor and eotaxin-1 levels in obese young men.

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise training on the levels of peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor and eotaxin-1 in obese young men. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects included sixteen obese young men with a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2. They were randomly divided between control and exercise groups (n = 8 in each group). The exercise group performed treadmill exercise for 40 min, 3 times a week for 8 weeks at the intensity of 70% heart rate reserve. Blood collection was performed to examine the levels of serum glucose, plasma malonaldehyde, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and plasma eotaxin-1 before and after the intervention (aerobic exercise training). [Results] Following the intervention, serum BDNF levels were significantly higher, while serum glucose, plasma MDA, and plasma eotaxin-1 levels were significantly lower than those prior to the intervention in the exercise group. [Conclusion] Aerobic exercise training can induce neurogenesis in obese individuals by increasing the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and reducing the levels of eotaxin-1. Alleviation of oxidative stress is possibly responsible for such changes.

Whole-genome sequencing suggests a chemokine gene cluster that modifies age at onset in familial Alzheimer's disease.

We have sequenced the complete genomes of 72 individuals affected with early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease caused by an autosomal dominant, highly penetrant mutation in the presenilin-1 (PSEN1) gene, and performed genome-wide association testing to identify variants that modify age at onset (AAO) of Alzheimer's disease. Our analysis identified a haplotype of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on chromosome 17 within a chemokine gene cluster associated with delayed onset of mild-cognitive impairment and dementia. Individuals carrying this haplotype had a mean AAO of mild-cognitive impairment at 51.0±5.2 years compared with 41.1±7.4 years for those without these SNPs. This haplotype thus appears to modify Alzheimer's AAO, conferring a large (~10 years) protective effect. The associated locus harbors several chemokines including eotaxin-1 encoded by CCL11, and the haplotype includes a missense polymorphism in this gene. Validating this association, we found plasma eotaxin-1 levels were correlated with disease AAO in an independent cohort from the University of California San Francisco Memory and Aging Center. In this second cohort, the associated haplotype disrupted the typical age-associated increase of eotaxin-1 levels, suggesting a complex regulatory role for this haplotype in the general population. Altogether, these results suggest eotaxin-1 as a novel modifier of Alzheimer's disease AAO and open potential avenues for therapy.

Effect of montelukast on clinical score and cytokine levels of infants for clinically diagnosed acute bronchiolitis

BackgroundAcute bronchiolitis comprises a major cause for morbidity in infants with viral infection which induces an immune inflammatory response that may produce long lasting harmful effects. Currently, there is no effective therapy for bronchiolitis. ObjectiveOur aim was to investigate the efficacy of five-day montelukast therapy in acute bronchiolitis management. MethodsThe study included 50 infants with acute bronchiolitis. The infants with first episode of acute bronchiolitis were randomly assigned to receive daily montelukast dose of 4mg over five days after admission or no treatment. Plasma eotaxin, IL-4, IL-8 and IFN-gamma levels were evaluated before and after treatment by ELISA method. In the present study, the primary outcome measure was change in clinical severity score, whilst secondary outcome measures were changes in plasma eotaxin, IL-4, IL-8, IFN-gamma levels. ResultsNo significant differences was found in clinical severity score with five-day montelukast treatment (p>0.05, Mann–Whitney U test). There were no significant differences in plasma eotaxin, IL-4, IL-8, IFN-gamma levels between the groups (p>0.05 Mann–Whitney U test). There was significant decrease in plasma IFN-gamma levels following five-day montelukast treatment (p=0.027, Wilcoxon). There were no significant differences in plasma IL-4, IL-8, IFN-gamma levels between the groups after five-day montelukast treatment (p>0.05, Wilcoxon). There was significant increase in eotaxin levels after five-day montelukast treatment (p=0.009, Wilcoxon). ConclusionOur study showed that montelukast affected plasma IFN-gamma and eotaxin levels after five days of treatment. Further studies are needed to demonstrate effects of montelukast on chemokine levels in bronchiolitis.

Pregnancy and malaria exposure are associated with changes in the B cell pool and in plasma eotaxin levels.

Pregnancy triggers immunological changes aimed to tolerate the fetus, but its impact on B lymphocytes is poorly understood. In addition, exposure to the Plasmodium parasite is associated with altered distribution of peripheral memory B cell (MBC) subsets. To study the combined impact of high malaria exposure and pregnancy in B cell subpopulations, we analyzed PBMCs from pregnant and nonpregnant individuals from a malaria-nonendemic country (Spain) and from a high malaria-endemic country (Papua New Guinea). In the malaria-naive cohorts, pregnancy was associated with a significant expansion of all switched (IgD(-)) MBC and a decrease of naive B cells. Malaria-exposed women had more atypical MBC and fewer marginal zone-like MBC, and their levels correlated with both Plasmodium vivax- and Plasmodium falciparum-specific plasma IgG levels. Classical but not atypical MBC were increased in P. falciparum infections. Moreover, active atypical MBC positively correlated with proinflammatory cytokine plasma concentrations and had lower surface IgG levels than the average. Decreased plasma eotaxin (CCL11) levels were associated with pregnancy and malaria exposure and also correlated with B cell subset frequencies. Additionally, active atypical and active classical MBC expressed higher levels of eotaxin receptor CCR3 than the other B cell subsets, suggesting a chemotactic effect of eotaxin on these B cell subsets. These findings are important to understand immunity to infections like malaria that result in negative outcomes for both the mother and the newborn and may have important implications on vaccine development.

Anti‐inflammatory cytokines, pro‐fibrogenic chemokines and persistence of acute HCV infection

Chemokines and cytokines play a vital role in directing and regulating immune responses to viral infections. Persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is characterized by the loss of anti-HCV cellular immune responses, while control of HCV infection is associated with maintenance of anti-HCV cellular immune responses. To determine whether plasma concentrations of 19 chemokines and cytokines controlling T-cell trafficking and function differed based on infection outcome, we compared them in at-risk subjects followed prospectively for HCV infection. Levels were compared over time in subjects who controlled HCV infection (Clearance) and subjects who developed persistent HCV infection (Persistence) at two time points during acute infection: (i) first viraemic sample (initial viraemia) and (ii) last viraemic sample in Clearance subjects and time-matched samples in Persistence subjects. At initial viraemia, increased pro-inflammatory tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) plasma concentrations were observed in the Clearance group, while the plasma levels of anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10 and IL-13 were higher in the Persistence group. IL-13 was positively correlated with IL-2 and IL-10 at initial viraemia in the Persistence group. At the time of last viraemia, plasma levels of eotaxin, macrophage chemoattractant protein-4 (MCP-4), IL-5 and IL-10 were higher in the Persistence group and IL-10 and IL-5 levels were positively correlated. Collectively, these results suggest that the development of persistent infection is associated with an anti-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic chemokine and cytokine profile that is evident at the onset of infection and maintained throughout acute infection.

Low-dose gamma irradiation of food protein increases its allergenicity in a chronic oral challenge

Few chronic food protein models have described the relationship between allergenicity and the molecular structure of food protein after physical processing. The effect of γ-radiation on the structure of food protein was measured by fluorescence, circular dichroism and microcalorimetry. BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized and then given non-irradiated and irradiated Con-A by daily gavage for 28days. The tendency to form insoluble amorphous aggregates and partially unfolded species was observed after irradiation. The administration of non-irradiated and irradiated samples at low-dose significantly increased weight loss as well as plasma levels of eotaxin in animals repeatedly exposed to Con-A. Significant lymphocytic infiltrate filling completely the stroma of microvilli and tubular glands was observed in the small intestinal of the group given Con-A irradiated at a low dose. This phenotype was not observed in animals treated with Con-A irradiated at a high dose.

Plasma RANTES and eotaxin levels are correlated with the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis

Eosinophilia occurs in up to 75-90% of nasal polyps in Caucasians. The chemokines eotaxin and RANTES increase eosinophil recruitment, activation, and survival, and these chemokines are significantly expressed in nasal polyps. We hypothesized that eotaxin and RANTES plasma levels might be correlated with disease severity. We compared the eotaxin and RANTES plasma levels in 20 Taiwanese patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps and 20 Taiwanese healthy controls. Eotaxin and RANTES plasma levels were measured by ELISA and disease severity was scored by CT scans. Compared to controls, patients with nasal polyps had significantly elevated plasma levels of eotaxin and RANTES and increased peripheral blood eosinophils (p<0.001). Eotaxin plasma levels were significantly correlated with disease severity in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis to a greater extent than were RANTES levels. RANTES and eotaxin levels were also positively correlated with the percentages of peripheral blood eosinophils. Eotaxin plasma levels are significantly correlated with disease severity in Taiwanese patients with nasal polyposis to a greater degree than are RANTES levels. Additional studies are needed to assess whether eotaxin plasma levels can be used to monitor disease progression and attenuation.

Association between plasma levels of eotaxin (CCL-11) and treatment response to interferon- and ribavirin in HIV/HCV co-infected patients

To analyse the association between plasma chemokine levels at baseline and virological response to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) + ribavirin in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infected patients. We carried out a retrospective study in 109 patients. Chemokines were measured using Multiplex kits using a Luminex 100 Analyzer. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between plasma chemokine levels before HCV therapy and virological response at weeks 48 and 72 after starting HCV therapy. Fifty-seven patients out of 103 achieved end of treatment virological response (ETR). In patients achieving ETR, the baseline levels of eotaxin, MCP-1 and MCP-3 were higher than non-responder (NR) patients. Similarly, 51 patients out of 106 achieved sustained virological response (SVR). In patients achieving SVR, the baseline levels of eotaxin and MCP-1 were higher than in NR patients. Plasma levels of eotaxin, MCP-1 and MCP-3 had a significant positive association with ETR, as well as eotaxin and MCP-1 with SVR. However, after stepwise multivariate logistic regression, eotaxin was the only chemokine selected capable of predicting ETR and SVR with odds ratio (OR) of 1.016 (95% CI: 1.004-1.029) and 1.015 (95% CI: 1.002-1.027) for ETR and SVR, respectively. Our preliminary data suggest that plasma eotaxin levels prior to HCV antiviral therapy may be useful in predicting virological response to HCV treatment with IFN-alpha + ribavirin in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. Further experimental research is necessary to corroborate this hypothesis.

Eosinophil and T cell markers predict functional decline in COPD patients

BackgroundThe major marker utilized to monitor COPD patients is forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). However, asingle measurement of FEV1 cannot reliably predict subsequent decline. Recent studies indicate that T lymphocytes and eosinophils are important determinants of disease stability in COPD. We therefore measured cytokine levels in the lung lavage fluid and plasma of COPD patients in order to determine if the levels of T cell or eosinophil related cytokines were predictive of the future course of the disease.MethodsBaseline lung lavage and plasma samples were collected from COPD subjects with moderately severe airway obstruction and emphysematous changes on chest CT. The study participants were former smokers who had not had a disease exacerbation within the past six months or used steroids within the past two months. Those subjects who demonstrated stable disease over the following six months (ΔFEV1 % predicted = 4.7 ± 7.2; N = 34) were retrospectively compared with study participants who experienced a rapid decline in lung function (ΔFEV1 % predicted = -16.0 ± 6.0; N = 16) during the same time period and with normal controls (N = 11). Plasma and lung lavage cytokines were measured from clinical samples using the Luminex multiplex kit which enabled the simultaneous measurement of several T cell and eosinophil related cytokines.Results and DiscussionStable COPD participants had significantly higher plasma IL-2 levels compared to participants with rapidly progressive COPD (p = 0.04). In contrast, plasma eotaxin-1 levels were significantly lower in stable COPD subjects compared to normal controls (p < 0.03). In addition, lung lavage eotaxin-1 levels were significantly higher in rapidly progressive COPD participants compared to both normal controls (p < 0.02) and stable COPD participants (p < 0.05).ConclusionThese findings indicate that IL-2 and eotaxin-1 levels may be important markers of disease stability in advanced emphysema patients. Prospective studies will need to confirm whether measuring IL-2 or eotaxin-1 can identify patients at risk for rapid disease progression.

Elevation of Plasma Eotaxin Levels in Children with Food Allergy

Eosinophils play an important role in allergic responses. Eotaxin is a CC chemokine that promotes the selective recruitment of eosinophils. This study was performed to investigate the significance of eotaxin in pediatric food allergies. The study population included 35 patients with food allergy, 18 patients with atopic dermatitis but without food allergy, and 19 age-matched non-allergic controls. Eotaxin-1 and eotaxin-3 levels in plasma were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Simultaneously, eosinophil counts in peripheral blood and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) values were assessed. Plasma eotaxin-1 levels were 93.6+/-33.4 pg/ml in patients with food allergy, 78.0+/-31.8 pg/ml in patients with atopic dermatitis, and 60.4+/-15.7 pg/ml in controls. Differences between the food allergy and control groups were significant (P<0.001). Circulating eosinophil counts in patients with food allergy were higher than those in controls (5.84+/-9.46x10(9)/l vs. 1.20+/-1.11x10(9)/l, P<0.001). Nevertheless, eotaxin-1 levels in children with food allergy were not correlated with eosinophil counts or serum IgE levels. There were no significant differences in eotaxin-3 levels between the 3 groups. Plasma levels of eotaxin-1 were elevated in children with food allergy. The pathophysiological relevance of the increase in eotaxin is discussed.

Effect of exercise training on plasma visfatin and eotaxin levels

Visfatin, a novel adipokine, was revealed to be associated with obesity and to have insulin-mimetic effect. Eotaxin, which is an important chemokine in asthma, was recently reported to be associated with obesity in mice and humans. We evaluated the effect of exercise training on plasma visfatin and eotaxin levels in association with cardiovascular risk factors. Forty-eight non-diabetic Korean women were evaluated before and after a 12 week exercise program including aerobic exercise (45 min/session, 300 Kcal/day) and muscle strength training (20 min/session, 100 Kcal/day) five times per week. Plasma visfatin concentrations were elevated in obese subjects (body mass index, BMI> or =25 kg/m2) when compared with non-obese subjects (16.4 +/- 13.4 ng/ml vs 7.7 +/- 5.2 ng/ml, P = 0.006), and eotaxin concentrations were elevated in subjects with central obesity (waist circumference, WC> or =80 cm) when compared with those without central obesity (73.6 +/- 17.8 pg/ml vs 64.2 +/- 4.2 pg/ml, P = 0.005). In multiple regression analyses, visfatin levels were associated with BMI (R2 = 0.255) and eotaxin levels were associated with WC and body weight (R2 = 0.307). After the exercise program, body weight, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and insulin resistance of participants were decreased. Furthermore, plasma visfatin levels were significantly decreased from 13.6 +/- 12.0 to 7.7 +/- 7.9 ng/ml (P = 0.026) and eotaxin levels were reduced from 72.0 +/- 16.7 to 66.9 +/- 14.2 pg/ml (P = 0.018). Exercise training with weight loss induced a significant reduction of plasma visfatin and eotaxin levels in non-diabetic Korean women.

The polymorphisms of Eotaxin 1 and CCR3 genes influence on serum IgE, Eotaxin levels and mild asthmatic children in Taiwan

Asthma is a complex disorder, which is known to be affected by interactions between genetic and environmental factors. The human Eotaxin 1 and CCR3 attract eosinophils and Th2-lymphocytes to migrate to the inflammatory foci that could represent a key mechanism in allergy and asthma. We hypothesized that Eotaxin1 gene Ala23Thr and A-384 G, and CCR3 gene T51C polymorphisms are associated with plasma Eotaxin levels and predispose individuals to asthma pathogenesis. One hundred seventy-eight hospital-based asthmatic children and 277 community-based controls aged from 5 to 12 years were recruited in southern Taiwan. Whole blood samples and questionnaires were collected. In this study, we addressed genetic effects of Eotaxin 1 and CCR3 genes on asthma, plasma IgE and Eotaxin 1 levels. In comparison with subjects with Ala23Ala genotype, Ala23Thr polymorphism of the Eotaxin 1 gene showed a significant protective effect on asthma (AOR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.37-0.92). We demonstrated that the mean Eotaxin 1 concentration was significantly higher in subjects with Ala23Ala than in subjects with Thr23Thr (P = 0.005) or Ala23Thr (P = 0.07), which showed a gene-dose dependent relationship. But, we observed that the A-384G polymorphism of Eotaxin 1 gene and T51C polymorphism of CCR3 gene are not associated with asthma. This study finding provide a strong evidence that Eotaxin 1 Thr23Thr homozygote has a protective effect on asthma and significantly decreases plasma Eotaxin 1 concentrations in asthmatics in Taiwan.

Up‐regulated eotaxin plasma levels in chronic liver disease patients indicate hepatic inflammation, advanced fibrosis and adverse clinical course

Recent studies highlight the role of chemokines for the attraction of inflammatory cells in liver injury and fibrogenesis. The CC chemokine ligand 11, eotaxin (CCL11), is up-regulated in senescent human hepatic stellate cells and crucial in animal models of T-cell mediated hepatitis. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of eotaxin in chronic liver disease. Plasma eotaxin levels of 111 patients with chronic liver disease were correlated with clinical presentation, laboratory parameters, liver histology and clinical course in a 6-year follow-up. Eotaxin concentrations were significantly up-regulated in patients with liver cirrhosis and increased according to Child-Pugh and model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Eotaxin correlated with the hepatic biosynthetic capacity and other inflammatory cytokines. High eotaxin was associated with hepatic necroinflammation and fibrosis in liver histology. In patients with typical clinical complications of cirrhosis, eotaxin was found to be increased. High eotaxin indicated an unfavorable prognosis in 6-year follow-up. High eotaxin expression may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases. Plasma eotaxin levels correlate with the degree of liver cirrhosis and could serve as an additional biomarker indicating histological hepatic necroinflammation and fibrosis as well as an adverse clinical course.

Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter and protein expression of the chemokine Eotaxin-1 in colorectal cancer patients

BackgroundPrevious studies suggest that chemokines (chemotactic cytokines) promote and regulate neoplastic progression including metastasis and angiogenesis. The chemokine eotaxin-1 is a powerful eosinophil attractant but also exerts chemotaxis of other leukocytes. Eotaxin-1 has been implicated in gastrointestinal disorders and may play an important role in colorectal mucosal immunity.Patients and methodsThe objective of this study was to assess the role of eotaxin-1 in colorectal cancer (CRC). Levels of eotaxin-1 protein in CRC tissues (n = 86) and paired normal mucosa were compared after determination by ELISA. Plasma eotaxin-1 levels from CRC patients (n = 67) were also compared with controls (n = 103) using the same method. Moreover, a TaqMan system was used to evaluate the -384A>G eotaxin-1 gene variant in CRC patients (n = 241) and in a control group (n = 253).ResultsEotaxin-1 protein levels in colorectal tumours were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher than in normal tissue. Immunohistochemistry revealed eotaxin-1 expression in stromal cells such as fibroblasts and leukocytes of the CRC tissue. The plasma eotaxin-1 level in CRC patients was lower compared with controls (P < 0.0001). Patients with tumours classified as Dukes' stage B and C had lower levels than patients with tumours in Dukes' stage A. We found no difference in genotype distribution but noted a difference regarding allele distribution (P = 0.036) and a dominance of allele G in rectal cancer patients.ConclusionThe up-regulated eotaxin-1 protein expression in cancer tissue may reflect an eotaxin-1 mediated angiogenesis and/or a recruitment of leukocytes with potential antitumourigenic role. We noticed a dominance of the G allele in rectal cancer patients compared with colon cancer patients that was independent of eotaxin-1 expression.