Serum Interleukin-2 Receptor Research Articles

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in ascites indicates acute graft rejection after pediatric liver transplantation.

Acute graft rejection is one of the most frequent complications after pediatric liver transplantation (LTx). In clinical practice, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate acute cellular graft rejection from other complications because clinical and chemical findings are often nonspecific. We therefore investigated the value of cytokine quantification in drained ascites, in addition to quantification of cytokine concentrations of serum, in 30 children in the first 2 weeks after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Six of 30 patients showed acute graft rejection, with rising levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alpha-glutathione-S-transferase (alpha-GST) in serum up to 24 h prior to biopsy-proven rejection. There were no significant elevations of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2r) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum and ascites. In contrast to these findings, the concentration in ascites of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) increased 48 h before rejection was proven by liver biopsy (p < 0.01, in comparison with the non-rejecting group, n = 24). The IL-1ra concentration in ascites was up to 11-fold higher than in serum during rejection (15.43 vs. 1.38 ng/mL). Two children with early infectious complication showed no significant increase in ascitic IL-1ra concentration. We conclude from these data that quantification of IL-1ra in ascites indicates the start of graft rejection after LTx. As long as abdominal drainage is performed, this non-invasive procedure may be of additional value in differential diagnoses and early diagnosis of rejection.

Effect of parathyroid adenoma excision on interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-2 receptor levels

1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2D], besides its role in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, is also an important immunoregulatory molecule. Plasma levels of this hormone may be normal or elevated in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. 1,25(OH)2D has been reported to inhibit production of the cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-6. In the present study, we examined the effect of parathyroid adenoma excision on serum IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) levels and the release and production of IL-2R and IL-6 by peripheral blood lymphocytes (each measurement was performed twice). Ten patients (5 females and 5 males aged 45 to 78 years) with primary hyperparathyroidism were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism was based on the presence of asymptomatic hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and elevated serum intact PTH levels. Three weeks after removal of the parathyroid adenoma, there was a significant increase in the serum level of IL-2R, as well as the PHA-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocyte production of IL-6 and release of IL-2R. The results indicate that the removal of a parathyroid adenoma in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism causes a significant increase in IL-2R and IL-6 levels. The mechanism by which hyperparathyroidism may affect these cytokines and how they seem related to the levels of vitamin D is discussed.

Clinical application of maternal serum cytokine determination in premature rupture of membranes ‐ interleukin‐6, an early predictor of neonatal infection?

In cases of premature rupture of membranes (PROM), an early detection of fetal infection is necessary in order to weigh infectious complications against prematurity. As routine parameters (leukocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), fever, and fetal tachycardia) lack satisfactory sensitivity and specificity, this study evaluates whether the determination of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) or soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) in maternal serum could supplement or replace routine inflammation parameters. In this prospective study results of clinical and laboratory parameters were investigated with respect to neonatal infection in 71 patients with PROM. IL-6, IL-8 and IL-2R were determined by enzyme immunoassays. Best specificity and sensitivity could be demonstrated for CRP and IL-6. Both elevation of CRP and IL-6 correlated significantly (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively) with the onset of neonatal infection. At a cutoff of 11 pg/ml, IL-6 reaches a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 76%; CRP a specificity of 76% (cutoff 1.2 mg/dl) and a sensitivity of 56%. In 4/16 (25%) cases developing neonatal infection, IL-6 increased earlier than CRP. IL-8 and IL-2R results showed a less significant correlation with fetal outcome. Determination of IL-6 in maternal serum can significantly contribute to an earlier detection of fetal infection in patients with PROM.

Immunomodulatory and therapeutic effect of lentinan in treating condyloma acuminatum

Objective: To observe the immunomodulatory and therapeutic effect of lentinan in treating condyloma acuminatum (CA).Methods: Thirty-six CA patients were randomly divided into two groups, 19 in the treated group treated with lentinan and CO2 laser irradiation, and 17 in the control group, treated with laser irradiation alone. Their T lymphocyte subsets of peripheral blood and level of serum interleukin-2 (IL-2) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (SIL-2R) were determined before and after treatment, and the recurrence rates of the two groups were compared.Results: After treatment, in the treated group, the CD4/CD8 ratio, serum IL-2 raised and serum SIL-2R lowered significantly (P < 0.05, 0.05, 0.05 respectively) as compared with before treatment, while those parameters were not changed significantly in the control group. The recurrence rate of the treated group was lower than that of the control group.P < 0.05.Conclusion: Lentinan could modulate the cellular immunofunction of CA patients and reduce the recurrence rate of CA cases.

Circulating levels of interleukin-6, its soluble receptor and interleukin-6/interleukin-6 receptor complexes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

We evaluated the relationship between plasma fibrinogen concentration and the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), its soluble receptor, and their complex in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study comprised 57 patients with type 2 diabetes and 15 normal healthy controls. Serum levels of IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), and circulating IL-6/IL-6R complex were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Correlations between the different study parameters and serum IL-6, IL-6R, or IL-6/IL-6R complex levels were determined by multiple linear regression analysis. Any association between the different study parameters and the serum levels of IL-6, IL-6R, or IL-6/IL-6R complex were determined by stepwise linear regression analysis. The serum IL-6 level in diabetic subjects was significantly higher than in normal healthy controls (3.48 +/- 3.29 pg/ml vs 0.784 +/- 0.90 pg/ml, mean +/- SD, respectively, P = 0.0001). The specific optical density of the serum IL-6/IL-6R complex in diabetic patients was also significantly higher than in normal healthy controls, although there was no significant difference in the serum IL-6R level between diabetic patients and controls. The serum IL-6 concentration was correlated significantly with the HbA(1C) level (beta = 0.58, P = 0. 04) by multiple regression analysis. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the levels of serum IL-6 (F = 8.251), HbA(1C) (F = 1. 08), and serum urea nitrogen (F = 5.603) were associated with the plasma fibrino gen concentration. These results suggest that hyperglycaemia and increased levels of serum IL-6 can increase the plasma fibrinogen concentration, one of the known risk factors for atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Effects of hemoperfusion with polymyxin B-immobilized fibre on serum neopterin and soluble interleukin-2 receptor concentrations in patients with septic shock

the aim of the present study was to determine whether serum neopterin and soluble interleukin (IL)-2 receptor levels were related to the development of septic shock and whether polymyxin B-immobilized fibre (PMX-F) treatment affects these levels. we examined 24 patients admitted to our intensive care unit with Gram-negative septic shock. Serum neopterin and soluble IL-2 receptor levels were measured using commercially available test kits. Patients were treated with direct hemoperfusion using PMX-F columns. fifteen out of 24 patients (63%) survived and were discharged from our hospitals within 30 days after PMX-F treatment. Blood endotoxin levels decreased significantly from 49.2+/-8.6 pg/ml to 13.2+/-4.4 pg/ml after PMX-F treatment. The pretreatment serum concentrations of neopterin and IL-2 receptor were significantly higher in the nine non-surviving patients with septic shock than in the 15 surviving patients (P<0.01) and 20 control subjects (P<0.001). Serum concentrations of neopterin and IL-2 receptor in patients with septic shock decreased significantly after PMX-F treatment (P<0.01). these data suggest that serum neopterin and IL-2 receptor concentrations may be prognostic indicators in patients with septic shock. PMX-F treatment may be effective for reducing serum neopterin and IL-2 receptor concentrations.

Free interleukin-2 receptors in children with trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome) and different levels of periodontal disease.

To investigate levels of free interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors in relation to differing levels of CIPD in children with trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome). Cross-sectional study of soluble IL-2 receptors in serum samples. Eighty children aged 10-13 years were included; 40 children with Down's syndrome and with varying levels of CIPD and 40 control children without Down's syndrome and without periodontitis. Serum samples were analysed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with two monoclonal antibodies. In children with Down's syndrome and periodontitis, serum IL-2 receptor levels were significantly higher than in control subjects.

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor and soluble CD8 antigen levels in serum from patients with solid tumors.

High levels of soluble lymphocyte antigens have been described in a large number of tumors and, particularly, in hematopoietic neoplasms. As previously reported, many antitumor immune responses are IL-2 dependent: clinical observations indicate that a worse survival in advanced tumor patients is related with a decrease of soluble IL-2 levels. A soluble form of CD8 has been described: as found in Hodgkin's disease and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, sCD8 levels have a prognostic value. To explain the significance of these soluble molecules in solid tumors, we a) determinated sIL-2R and sCD8 in 84 patients; b) correlated the expression of p55 chain of IL-2R and CD8 antigen on the cell-surface of peripheral lymphocytes to sIL-2R and sCD8 levels; c) analyzed endogenous IL-2R levels in patients with lung cancer. An increase of sIL-2R was found in 82% of cases, while high levels of sCD8 were observed in 32%; no correlation was observed between sIL-2R and the expression of p55 on the surface of peripheral lymphocytes: IL-2 levels in patients with NSCLC were significatively reduced, when compared to healthy controls, with an inverse relationship between endogenous IL-2 concentration and sIL-2R levels. Whatever may be the physiopathological mechanism of the increase of sIL-2 observed in solid tumors, this rise may contribute to the immunodepression correlated to neoplastic disease. Therefore, higher levels of sIL-2R/IL-2 ratio has a negative biologic prognostic significance. We think that determinating CD8 antigen in the serum can offer a more sensitive and specific measurement of activation of suppressor/cytotoxic T-lymphocytes.

Elevation of serum interleukin-1 receptor antagonist levels in women with gynaecological cancers.

This study included 15 patients with gynaecological cancers (7 with cervical cancer, 6 with endometrial cancer, and 12 with ovarian cancer); 7 with benign gynaecological disorders (5 with benign ovarian tumour and 2 with uterine myoma); and 10 healthy women as a control group. Serum interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 ra) levels in patients with gynaecological cancer were significantly higher than those in patients with benign gynaecological disorders (P = 0.04) and in healthy controls (P = 0.0009). IL-1 ra may play an important role in host immune responses in local and general environments against gynaecological cancers.

Human cytomegalovirus infection of breast milk

Human cytomegalovirus is the most common cause of congenital and perinatal infections throughout the world. Primary infection with human cytomegalovirus usually follows a benign course, but the virus remains latent or persistent in the host cell thereafter. Understanding the epidemiology of human cytomegalovirus is a key element in the development of strategies for prevention of infection. Although the actual sites of latency or persistence of human cytomegalovirus infections are still controversial, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and endothelial cells appear to be major sites of infection. Persistent infections caused by human cytomegalovirus could be augmented by a decrease in major histocompatibility complex expression as well as by virus-mediated immune dysfunction. It is possible that specific cellular interactions as well as production of several cytokines are necessary for the reactivation of human cytomegalovirus. Breast-fed infants are susceptible to human cytomegalovirus infection from breast milk. Human cytomegalovirus was isolated more frequently from breast milk at more than 1 month after delivery than from colostrum or early breast milk. Human cytomegalovirus DNA was also not detected in colostrum, but was found in breast milk samples 1 month after delivery. To clarify the role of milk cells and whey in vertical infection by breast feeding, we separated breast milk into milk cells and whey and examined each fraction. Human cytomegalovirus was isolated more frequently from milk whey samples than from cell samples. Human cytomegalovirus particle shedding into whey may be more important in vertical infection by breast milk than cell-to-cell transmission. The supernatant of colostrum did not exert an inhibitory effect on human cytomegalovirus-infected cells. Serum levels of cell free soluble interleukin-2 receptor of mothers with DNA-positive milk at 1 month after delivery were significantly higher than those of mothers with DNA-negative milk. It is likely that levels of factors such as soluble interleukin-2 receptor in serum are related to the reactivation of human cytomegalovirus which occurs locally in the mammary gland of the lactating mother after delivery. This minireview focuses on recent advances in the study of human cytomegalovirus infection of breast milk.

Human cytomegalovirus infection of breast milk.

Human cytomegalovirus is the most common cause of congenital and perinatal infections throughout the world. Primary infection with human cytomegalovirus usually follows a benign course, but the virus remains latent or persistent in the host cell thereafter. Understanding the epidemiology of human cytomegalovirus is a key element in the development of strategies for prevention of infection. Although the actual sites of latency or persistence of human cytomegalovirus infections are still controversial, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and endothelial cells appear to be major sites of infection. Persistent infections caused by human cytomegalovirus could be augmented by a decrease in major histocompatibility complex expression as well as by virus-mediated immune dysfunction. It is possible that specific cellular interactions as well as production of several cytokines are necessary for the reactivation of human cytomegalovirus. Breast-fed infants are susceptible to human cytomegalovirus infection from breast milk. Human cytomegalovirus was isolated more frequently from breast milk at more than 1 month after delivery than from colostrum or early breast milk. Human cytomegalovirus DNA was also not detected in colostrum, but was found in breast milk samples 1 month after delivery. To clarify the role of milk cells and whey in vertical infection by breast feeding, we separated breast milk into milk cells and whey and examined each fraction. Human cytomegalovirus was isolated more frequently from milk whey samples than from cell samples. Human cytomegalovirus particle shedding into whey may be more important in vertical infection by breast milk than cell-to-cell transmission. The supernatant of colostrum did not exert an inhibitory effect on human cytomegalovirus-infected cells. Serum levels of cell free soluble interleukin-2 receptor of mothers with DNA-positive milk at 1 month after delivery were significantly higher than those of mothers with DNA-negative milk. It is likely that levels of factors such as soluble interleukin-2 receptor in serum are related to the reactivation of human cytomegalovirus which occurs locally in the mammary gland of the lactating mother after delivery. This minireview focuses on recent advances in the study of human cytomegalovirus infection of breast milk.

Changes in T-lymphocyte subpopulations and serum lymphokine concentrations after partial hepatectomy in rats

The relationship between liver regeneration and immunological response does exist. Extrathymic T cells and serum lymphokines are believed to be changed after partial hepatectomy, but there is still much controversy. This study evaluates the changes of peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subpopulations, natural killer (NK) cells, serum lymphokines, and NK cells in the remnant liver after partial hepatectomy. Male Wistar rats weighing around 200 g were used as subjects. Partial hepatectomies (67%) were done. Counting T-lymphocyte subpopulations (includes T3, T4, T8, T-IL2R, and NK cells) by using fluorescin isothiocyanate or phycoerythrin was performed preoperatively and on 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 d postoperatively. Serum gamma-interferon (γ-IFN), interleukin-2 and interleukin-2 receptor concentrations were measured. Absolute number of NK cells in the remnant liver was also counted. Rats with right-side nephrectomy, sham operation, and no operation were used as control groups. Comparing the difference between all groups, we found that all T-lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood, serum γ-IFN, peripheral blood NK cells, and the absolute number of NK cells in the remnant liver of hepatectomized rats increased markedly, and were significantly higher than control groups rats, on the fifth and seventh post-hepatectomy day. It is suggested that γ-IFN and NK cells were activated markedly and might play important roles in the regulation of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

Effect of Shenmai injection on immunologic function in stomach cancer patients after chemotherapy) on immunologic function in stomach cancer patients after chemotherapy

Sixty-three cases with stomach cancer were randomized into 2 groups and observed, the results showed that the count of T lymphocytes in chemotherapy combined with Shenmai injection (SMI) group increased, while in the control group it decreased, the difference being quite significant (P<0.05). The results also showed that the count of OKT1 cells and the OKT4/OKT8 ratio decreased after chemotherapy, but in SMI group both parameters increased in advance, which were higher in the 4th week after chemotherapy than that before chemotherapy. However in the meantime, the count of OKT1 cells and OKT4/OKT8 ratio of control group were still in low level. After chemotherapy the serum interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) level also decreased (P<0.05), while activities of natural killer cell (NK) and lymphokine activated killer cell (LAK) level increased (P<0.05) in SMI group. But in the control group, although the sIL-2R level had no change, both NK and Lak level decreased significantly (P<0.05). In addition, the difference of IgA, IgM, IgG levels was not significant between these two groups. These results suggested that SMI might improve human immunologic function to facilitate the chemotherapy of patients with stomach cancer.

Serum Interleukin-2 and Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor in Gestrational Trophoblastic Diseases

Objective:To investigate serum interleukin-2 (IL-2) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (SIL-2) levels in gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD).Methods:Sixty-six patients with GTDs and 23 first-trimester healthy pregnant women (controls) participated in this study. According to the World Health Organization scoring system, GTDs were subgrouped into the following groups: 30 hydatidiform mole spontaneous regression (HMRS), 12 postmolar gestational trophoblastic tumors of high risk (PMHR), 14 low-risk choriocarcinomas, and ten high-risk choriocarcinomas. Before treatment, a blood sample from each case was assayed for β-hCG by radioimmunoassay, IL-2 by IRMA, and SIL-2R by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Follow-up β-hCG assays were carried out at weekly intervals after treatment for 3 months, then monthly for 1 year.Results:Serum IL-2 levels in all subgroups of GTD were significantly lower than that of controls. Meanwhile, there were concomitant significant elevations of serum SIL-2R, showing mean rises o...

Serum interleukin-2 and soluble interleukin-2 receptor in gestational trophoblastic diseases.

To investigate serum interleukin-2 (IL-2) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (SIL-2) levels in gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD). Sixty-six patients with GTDs and 23 first-trimester healthy pregnant women (controls) participated in this study. According to the World Health Organization scoring system, GTDs were subgrouped into the following groups: 30 hydatidiform mole spontaneous regression (HMSR), 12 postmolar gestational trophoblastic tumors of high risk (PMHR), 14 low-risk choriocarcinomas, and ten high-risk choriocarcinomas. Before treatment, a blood sample from each case was assayed for beta-hCG by radioimmunoassay, IL-2 by IRMA, and SIL-2R by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Follow-up beta-hCG assays were carried out at weekly intervals after treatment for 3 months, then monthly for 1 year. Serum IL-2 levels in all subgroups of GTD were significantly lower than that of controls. Meanwhile, there were concomitant significant elevations of serum SIL-2R, showing mean rises of 3.86-fold, 3.9-fold, twofold, and 6.1-fold for cases of HMSR, PMHR, low-risk choriocarcinoma, and high-risk carcinoma, respectively. All cases of high-risk choriocarcinoma revealed abnormally high SIL-2R values. There was a significant positive correlation between serum beta-hCG and SIL-2R concentrations. The possible causes of IL-2 decreases and SIL-2R increases may indicate a defective immune response in GTDs. The high correlation between SIL-2R level and tumor burden suggests the use of serum SIL-2R assay for disease monitoring: SIL-2R is indirect marker of tumor activity, and it is useful in the differential diagnosis of GTD because a normal value of serum SIL-2R excludes high-risk cases of choriocarcinoma.

Effect of shenmai Injection on SIL-2R NK and LAK cells of patients with advanced carcinoma

Serum interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) level activities of natural killer cell (NK) and lymphokine activated killer cell (LAK) cells were determined in 60 patients with advanced carcinoma (AC) before and after treatment with Shenmai injection (SMI), 40 healthy persons were taken as non-carcinoma control (NC). The results showed that: Serum sIL-2R level in AC were much higher than those in NC (P < 0.05) and activities of NK and LAK cells in AC were much lower than those in NC (P < 0.05) before treatment. There was no significant difference among gastric cancer, colonic carcinoma and lung cancer (P < 0.05). After treatment with SMI we also found that the level of sIL-2R in all patients were obviously lower (P < 0.05) while the activity of NK and LAK cells were significantly higher than that prior treatment (P < 0.05). Linear correlation was not found between sIL-2R and NK, LAK cells. These data suggested that the immune function was compromised in AC. The mechanism of the inhibitory effect of SMI on carcinoma might be related to the activity of biological response modifier.

Association study of schizophrenia and the IL‐2 receptor β chain gene

A case-control association study was conducted in Caucasian patients with schizophrenia (DSM-III-R, n = 42) and unaffected controls (n = 47) matched for ethnicity and area of residence. Serum interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) concentrations, as well as a dinucleotide repeat polymorphism in the IL-2R beta chain gene, were examined in both groups. No significant differences in IL-2R concentrations or in the distribution of the polymorphism were noted. This study does not support an association between schizophrenia and the IL-2R beta gene locus, contrary to the suggestive evidence from linkage analysis in multicase families.

Activated CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets in Wegener's granulomatosis.

Several lines of evidence argue in favour of an involvement of T cells in the pathogenesis of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). These include the presence of highly specific IgG autoantibodies to proteinase 3, perivascular T-cell infiltrates and elevated amounts of soluble interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors in patient's serum. In order to further address this question we evaluated by double immunofluorescence and flow cytometry the expression of several cell surface molecules associated with T-cell activation. As compared to healthy controls (n = 15), the CD4+ subset was significantly diminished, while the percentage of CD8+ T cells was elevated in WG patients (n = 24). Within the CD4+ T-cell subset we found a highly significant increase in activation/memory markers (CD25, CD29, HLA-DR). Within the CD8+ T-cell subset the expression of CD11b, CD29 and CD57 was significantly elevated, while the expression of VD28 was reduced. The use of 10 V beta-, 1 V alpha- and 1 V gamma-specific monoclonal reagents failed to reveal any significant bias in the peripheral T-cell receptor V-gene repertoire of WG patients. There was also no correlation between T-cell activation markers and laboratory parameters [C-reactive protein (CRP), ESR], disease duration or therapy. A significant correlation was found only for the degree of organ involvement and the increase in CD4+ T cells coexpressing HLA-DR, as well as the increase in CD57 expression on CD8+ T cells. In conclusion, both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets were activated in WG. Cytotoxic CD8+CD57+CD11b+CD28- T cells may directly contribute to damage of vascular endothelium.

Serum cytokines, interleukin-2 receptor, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in oral disorders

Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, soluble interleukin-2 receptor, and cytokines such as interleukin-3, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor were examined in patients with oral disorders with 20 healthy persons used as control subjects. Patients studied included 30 with squamous cell carcinoma, 26 with oral lichen planus, 20 with recurrent aphthous ulcer, 19 with acute odontogenic bacterial infection, 16 with pseudomembranous candidiasis, and 16 with herpetic gingivostomatitis. Compared with levels in control subjects, detectable serum levels of interleukin-3 (≧ 10 pg/ml) existed more frequently in pseudomembranous candidiasis ( 13 16 ), acute odontogenic bacterial infection ( 14 19 ), and squamous cell carcinoma ( 24 30 ) and of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (≧ 4 pg/ml) more frequently in recurrent aphthous ulcer ( 15 20 ) and squamous cell carcinoma ( 21 30 ). These cytokine levels were increased with T stage of squamous cell carcinoma. About 20 pg/ml of interleukin-4 was detected in serum from one third to one fourth of patients with oral lichen planus, recurrent aphthous ulcer, and squamous cell carcinoma. Tumor necrosis factor-α was hardly detected in most patients except those with oral lichen planus and squamous cell carcinoma in which about one third of the patients had more than 40 pg/ml of tumor necrosis factor-α in serum. More than 10 pg/ml of interleukin-6 was frequently detected in all disorders, especially recurrent aphthous ulcer ( 18 20 ), pseudomembranous candidiasis ( 12 16 ), and acute odontogenic bacterial infection ( 17 19 ). After treatment, the serum interleukin-6 level increased in pseudomembranous candidiasis, acute odontogenic bacterial infection, herpetic gingivostomatitis, and squamous cell carcinoma, but decreased in oral lichen planus and recurrent aphthous ulcer. As compared with levels in the control subjects, significantly higher levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were observed in recurrent aphthous ulcer, herpetic gingivostomatitis, and pseudomembranous candidiasis and levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor were significantly increased in oral lichen planus, recurrent aphthous ulcer, and pseudomembranous candidiasis. These results seem to indicate the immunologic characteristics of the individual oral disorder.

Increased levels of soluble serum interleukin-2 receptor in extrinsic allergic alveolitis correlate with interleukin-2 receptor expression on alveolar macrophages

In a group of 20 patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis (10 with farmer's lung, 9 with bird-breeder's lung, and 1 with humidifier's lung), we observed increased levels of soluble serum interleukin-2 receptor (ssIL-2R) with an average of 75.2 pmol (control group average, 40.6 pmol). Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage cells by immunocytochemistry with a CD25 antibody revealed only a slight increase to 4.2% IL-2R + cells among alveolar lymphocytes but a pronounced rise to 21.2% IL-2R + cells among alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, cytometry revealed a fourfold higher IL-2R expression on a per cell basis for alveolar macrophages as compared with alveolar lymphocytes. A clear-cut positive correlation (p = 0.006) was found for ssIL-2R and IL-2R + alveolar macrophages, but only a borderline correlation was found for ssIL-2R and IL-2R + alveolar lymphocytes (p = 0.04). The finding of a concomitant decrease of IL-2R + alveolar macrophages and of ssIL-2R on allergen avoidance further supports the notion that alveolar macrophages may be the main source of the increased ssIL-2R in patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis. (J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL 1994;94:1057-64.)