Association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and natural killer cell activity revealed by measurement of interferon-gamma levels in a healthy population

Low progesterone levels and their role in the co-existence of polycystic ovary syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis: A comprehensive analysis among Iraqi patient

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a low-grade and chronic inflammation defined by irregular hormonal status that primarily triggers females in their reproductive age. Multi cysts are a primary manifestation of PCOS; a high level of androgen production characterizes the condition via ovaries. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, and symmetrical inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects 1-2 % of adults. Females are more likely to generate RA. During the inflammatory activity, immune cells attack the synovium and the synovial space. This invasion is essential in releasing many cytokines in the synovial and joint spaces, leading to joint damage and pain, stiffens, heat, and tenderness in the joint. To evaluate the strength of the link between PCOS and RA, the cross-sectional study examined hormonal, metabolic, and autoantibodies in PCOS, RA as a positive control and the study groups. Statistical analysis Shapiro-Wilk test, student t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multi-linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the results. The data highlights significant values for the BMI, WHR, and hirsutism of PCOS and RA groups in comparison to the negative control. The ANOVA results of these parameters also showed a significant p < 0.05 among the groups. According to the negative control, the levels of insulin, HOMA-IR, testosterone, LH, estradiol, and CRP showed a substantial increase in the PCOS group. Also, the RA group showed a significant p < 0.05 rise in CRP, RF, and Ani-CCP, and the ANOVA results showed significant value among the groups under investigation. Progesterone D as a model showed a correlation with Anti-CCP B, RF C, Anti-CCP C, CRP D, RF D, and Anti-CCP D with the highest level of f2 between other models. In addition, statistical tests show that progesterone D with R2= 0.565 and RMSE equal to 0.996 have heteroscedasticity, which means that low levels of progesterone are associated inversely with high levels of RF and Anit-CCP. There is a relative association between the progesterone D model and corresponding predictions. Regardless of solid f2, only 56 % of the sample shows an association between the model and predictors; this relation may differ if we consider the study's limitations.

Natural killer cell activity and its relationship with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between natural killer cell activity (NKA) and disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We retrospectively reviewed 259 patients' data including RA markers associated with disease activity and NKA measured by a blood NKA test. Patients were divided into two groups based on their NKA levels, a low NKA group (NKA < 100 pg/mL) and a high NKA group (NKA 100-250 pg/mL). The low NKA group exhibited heightened RA characteristics, including increased seropositivity, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), 28-joint disease activity score, tender joints, visual analog scale (VAS), and TNF-α antagonist usage. A negative correlation was observed between NKA and RA severity metrics, including rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP antibodies, ESR, C-reactive protein, tender and swollen joints, and VAS scores. Logistic regression analysis indicated that factors such as seropositivity, elevated RF and anti-CCP antibodies, increased tender and swollen joints, higher VAS scores, and the employment of biological agents were linked with higher chances of belonging to the lower NKA group. Comparable trends were found within the seropositive RA patient subset. Our findings highlight a significant link between diminished NKA levels and exacerbated RA symptoms.

Eosinophilic Dermatoses: Cause of Non-Infectious Erythema after Volume Replacement with Diced Acellular Dermal Matrix in Breast Cancer?

INTRODUCTION

Non-infectious erythema, or Red Breast Syndrome (RBS), has been observed on the skin where acellular dermal matrix was implanted, although the exact cause is yet to be determined.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 214 female patients underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and volume replacement using diced acellular dermal matrix (dADM) for breast cancer between December 2017 and December 2018. After collecting and evaluating relevant clinical data, inflammation markers, along with NK cell status presented by IFN-γ secretion assay, were measured using ELISA.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (8.88%) presented with RBS after BCS and dADM use. A significant increase of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio was noted in the non-RBS group (p = 0.02). Compared to the RBS group (p = 0.042), the WBC level of the non-RBS group showed significant decrease over time. Eosinophil counts increased significantly at follow-up but went up higher in the RBS group. Multivariate analysis showed preoperative chemotherapy significantly increased the hazard of RBS (OR 3.274, p = 0.047 and OR 17.098, p < 0.001, respectively).

DISCUSSION

Though no causal relationship between RBS and immune status was proven, the results suggest an association between preoperative chemotherapy and RBS in addition to the possible role of eosinophilia in leading to eosinophilic dermatoses, which warrants further exploration and elucidation.

Interferon-Gamma Secretion Is Significantly Decreased in Stage III Breast Cancer Patients

Even though some studies have shown possible clinical relationship between molecular subtypes and tumor infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells around tumors, there are few studies showing the clinical relevance of peripheral NK cell activity at diagnosis in female patients with invasive breast cancer. A total of 396 female invasive breast cancer patients who received curative surgical treatment from March 2017 to July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. NK cell activation-induced interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) secretion measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the activity of peripheral NK cells. Statistical analyses were performed to determine clinical relationships with major clinicopathologic parameters. Quadripartite NK cell activity measured by induced interferon-gamma showed significant relevance with staging and body mass index, and some of the inflammatory serological markers, namely N/L (neutrophil/lymphocyte), P/N (platelet/neutrophil), and P/L (platelet/lymphocyte), showed significantly different NK activity in each interval by univariate analysis. A binary subgroup analysis, setting the IFN-γ secretion cut-off at 100 pg/mL, showed that stage III was significantly increased and axillary lymph node metastasis positivity was increased in the group of IFN-γ < 100 pg/mL, and IFN-γ secretion decreased with an increasing N stage, increased BMI (body mass index), and decreased production of IFN-γ. Following this, the same binary analysis, but with the IFN-γ secretion cut-off at 250 pg/mL, also showed that secretion in stage III was increased in those concentrations with <250 pg/mL, axillary lymph node positivity appeared to be correlated, and BMI ≥ 30 increased in prevalence. Additional ANOVA post hoc tests (Bonferroni) were performed on some serological markers that tended to be somewhat inconsistent. By subgroup analysis with Bonferroni adjustment between the IFN-γ secretion and TNM stage, no significant difference in IFN-γ secretion could be identified at stages I, II, and IV, but at stage III, the IFN-γ secretion < 100 pg/mL was significantly higher than 250 ≤ IFN-γ secretion < 500 pg/mL or IFN-γ secretion ≥ 500 pg/mL. According to this study, stage III was significantly associated with the lowest IFN-γ secretion. Compared to a higher level of IFN-γ secretion, a lower level of IFN-γ secretion seemed to be associated with increased body mass index. Unlike when IFN-γ secretion was analyzed in quartiles, as the IFN-γ secretion fell below 100 pg/mL, the correlation between axillary lymph node positivity and increased N stage, increased BMI, and increased N/L and P/L, which are suggested poor prognostic factors, became more pronounced. We think a peripheral IFN-γ secretion test might be convenient and useful tool for pretreatment risk assessment and selecting probable candidates for further treatment such as immunotherapy in some curable but high-risk invasive breast cancer patients, compared to other costly assaying of tissue NK cell activity at diagnosis.

Immunotherapy Using Activated Natural Killer Cells Improves Postoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Long-Term Prognosis of Living Donor Liver Transplant Recipients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a well-known prognostic indicator in various malignancies; however, the impact of postoperative NLR on living donor liver transplant (LDLT) recipients is unknown. Immunotherapy with donor liver-derived activated natural killer (NK) cells may improve postoperative NLR by coactivating immune cells or suppressing activated neutrophils. This study aims to clarify the clinical significance of postoperative NLR in recipients after LDLT with HCC and assess whether immunotherapy improves postoperative NLR.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of LDLT recipients between 2001 and 2022 to evaluate the clinical significance of postoperative NLR. Furthermore, the correlation between postoperative NLR and the activation marker of infused NK cells was also evaluated. The postoperative NLR was examined 4 weeks after LDLT.

RESULTS

The postoperative high NLR group (N = 78) had preoperative lower NLR and higher model for end-stage liver disease and a higher rate of postoperative infection within 30 days after LDLT than the postoperative low NLR group (N = 41). Postoperative high NLR (hazard ratio [HR], 2.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-6.79; P = .047) and nontreatment of immunotherapy (HR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.33-7.22; P < .01) were independent risk factors for poor overall survival in multivariate analysis. Furthermore, the activation marker of infused NK cells is inversely correlated with decreased postoperative NLR.

CONCLUSIONS

The higher level of postoperative NLR was independently associated with poor prognosis in patients after LDLT with HCC. Immunotherapy using activated NK cells may improve postoperative NLR and long-term prognosis.

Safety and efficacy of SNK01 (autologous natural killer cells) in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or cetuximab after failure of prior tyrosine kinase inhibitor in non-small cell lung cancer: non-clinical mouse model and phase I/IIa clinical study

BACKGROUND

Choosing treatments for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with osimertinib resistance is challenging. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of SNK01 (autologous natural killer (NK) cells) in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or cetuximab (an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody) in treating EGFR-mutated NSCLC in this non-clinical and phase I/IIa clinical trial.

METHODS

We developed a cell line-derived xenograft-humanized mouse model with an osimertinib-resistant lung cancer cell line. The mice were divided into four groups based on treatment (no treatment, cetuximab, SNK01, and combination groups) and treated weekly for 5 weeks. In the clinical study, 12 patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC who failed prior tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) received SNK01 weekly in combination with gemcitabine/carboplatin (n=6) or cetuximab/gemcitabine/carboplatin (n=6) and dose escalation of SNK01 following the "3+3" design.

RESULTS

In the non-clinical study, an increase in NK cells in the blood and enhanced NK cell tumor infiltration were observed in the SNK01 group. The volume of tumor extracted after treatment was the smallest in the combination group. In the clinical study, 12 patients (median age, 60.9 years; all adenocarcinoma cases) received SNK01 weekly for 7-8 weeks (4×109 cells/dose (n=6); 6×109 cells/dose (n=6)). The maximum feasible dose of SNK01 was 6×109 cells/dose without dose-limiting toxicity. Efficacy outcomes showed an objective response rate of 25%, disease control rate of 100%, and median progression-free survival of 143 days.

CONCLUSION

SNK01 in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy, including cetuximab, for EGFR-mutated NSCLC with TKI resistance was safe and exerted a potential antitumor effect.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04872634.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and all-cause mortality with and without myeloproliferative neoplasms-a Danish longitudinal study

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) is increased in chronic inflammation and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). We hypothesize that NLR is associated with all-cause mortality and mortality by comorbidity burden in the general population and individuals with MPN. We included 835,430 individuals from The Danish General Suburban Population Study, general practitioners, and outpatient clinics. We investigated NLR on mortality stratified by prevalent and incident MPN, essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), myelofibrosis (MF), comorbidity burden (CCI-score), and the Triple-A risk score using hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). NLR 1-1.9 was the reference level. During a median follow-up of 11.2 years, 197,802 deaths were recorded. All-cause mortality increased for a stepwise increasing NLR with a HR (95%CI) for NLR ≥ 6 of 2.06(2.03-2.09) for the whole population and 2.93(2.44-3.50) in prevalent MPN. ET, PV, and MF had a HR (95%CI) for NLR ≥ 2 of 2.14(1.71-2.69), 2.19(1.89-2.54), and 2.31(1.91-2.80). Results were similar for incident MPN. Mortality was higher for stepwise increasing NLR and CCI-score(pinteraction < 2×10-16), with a HR for NLR ≥ 6 of 2.23(2.17-2.29), 4.10(4.01-4.20), and 7.69(7.50-7.89), for CCI-score 0, 1-2, or ≥3. The Triple-A risk score demonstrated alignment with NLR. Increasing NLR and comorbidity burden were associated with lower survival in individuals without MPN but were even worse in prevalent and incident MPN, ET, PV, and MF.

Signs of low energy availability in elite male volleyball athletes but no association with risk of bone stress injury and patellar tendinopathy

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) syndrome is associated with undesirable health and performance outcomes. The aetiology of RED-S syndrome is low energy availability (LEA). LEA has been reported in male athletes in various sports, but there is little information in team sports. Therefore, the aims of this study were to assess the point-prevalence of surrogate markers of LEA in elite male volleyball players and examine the association between low and normal total-testosterone (TES) on endocrine markers, resting metabolic rate, bone mineral density (BMD), and history of injury/illness. Using a cross-sectional design, 22 elite male volleyball players underwent anthropometric, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) and resting metabolic rate testing, bloodwork, dietary analysis, the three-factor eating questionnaire-R18, injury/illness questionnaire and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - patellar tendon questionnaire. The primary finding of this investigation was that 36% of athletes had ≥2 surrogate markers of LEA. Although fasted insulin was lower and cortisol was higher in players with low-total TES, low BMD, low RMR and various other endocrine markers linked to LEA were not observed. More research is required to define surrogate markers of LEA in male athletes.HIGHLIGHTS Thirty-six percent of volleyball players had ≥2 surrogate markers of LEA.The Cunningham, 1991 predictive RMR equation and/or the cut-off point (<0.9) may be unsuitable for detecting energy conservation associated with LEA in large male athletes.There was no association between total-TES and risk of bone stress injury, illness and patellar tendinopathy.

Relationship between Serum Cortisol, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEAS) Levels, and Natural Killer Cell Activity: A Cross-Sectional Study

The adrenal steroid hormones, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), are associated with the immune system in opposite actions. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cortisol and DHEAS serum concentrations, their ratio (CDR), and natural killer cell activity (NKA). This cross-sectional study included 2275 subjects without current infection or inflammation in the final analyses. NKA was estimated by measuring the amount of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) released by activated natural killer cells; low NKA was defined as IFN-γ level < 500 pg/mL. Cortisol, DHEAS levels, and CDRs were categorized by quartiles in men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women. Compared with the lowest quartile as reference, the adjusted odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for low NKA of the highest cortisol and CDR group were 1.66 (1.09-2.51) and 1.68 (1.11-2.55) in men, 1.58 (1.07-2.33) and 2.33 (1.58-3.46) in premenopausal women, and 2.23 (1.28-3.87) and 1.85 (1.07-3.21) in postmenopausal women. Only in premenopausal women, the highest DHEAS group showed significantly lower risk of low NKA (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.35-0.76). HPA axis activation indicated as high cortisol level, CDR was significantly associated with low NKA, while high DHEAS levels were inversely associated with low NKA in premenopausal women.

High Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Facilitates Cancer Growth-Currently Marketed Drugs Tadalafil, Isotretinoin, Colchicine, and Omega-3 to Reduce It: The TICO Regimen

Simple Summary

Several elements that are composed of, or related to, neutrophils, have been shown to inhibit strong immune responses to cancer and promote cancers’ growth. This paper presents the collected data showing these elements and how their coordinated actions as an ensemble facilitate growth in the common cancers. The paper goes on to present a drug regimen, TICO, designed to reduce the cancer growth enhancing effects of the neutrophil related elements. TICO uses four already marketed, readily available generic drugs, repurposed to inhibit neutrophil centered growth facilitation of cancer.

Abstract

This paper presents remarkably uniform data showing that higher NLR is a robust prognostic indicator of shorter overall survival across the common metastatic cancers. Myeloid derived suppressor cells, the NLRP3 inflammasome, neutrophil extracellular traps, and absolute neutrophil count tend to all be directly related to the NLR. They, individually and as an ensemble, contribute to cancer growth and metastasis. The multidrug regimen presented in this paper, TICO, was designed to decrease the NLR with potential to also reduce the other neutrophil related elements favoring malignant growth. TICO is comprised of already marketed generic drugs: the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor tadalafil, used to treat inadequate erections; isotretinoin, the retinoid used for acne treatment; colchicine, a standard gout (podagra) treatment; and the common fish oil supplement omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. These individually impose low side effect burdens. The drugs of TICO are old, cheap, well known, and available worldwide. They all have evidence of lowering the NLR or the growth contributing elements related to the NLR when clinically used in general medicine as reviewed in this paper.

Cross-Sectional and Time-Dependent Analyses on Inflammatory Markers Following Natural Killer Cell Activity

The function of natural killer (NK) cells in inflammation has not been explored enough in large-scale population studies. The cross-sectional and time-dependent relationship between NK cell activity (NKA) and inflammatory markers was examined. Methods: A total of 7031 subjects were involved in the cross-sectional analyses. Non-linear relationship between NKA and inflammatory indices was analyzed using generalized additive models. The time-dependent changes were analyzed in 1005 subjects with repeated measurement in 3–6 months. The changes in inflammatory markers were analyzed based on the changes in NKA. Results: As NKA reduces to a very low level, the white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts increase sharply, and the lymphocyte count exhibits a slow decline. With increasing NKA larger than about 500 pg/mL, WBC and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) reduces in a mild slope. Among the subjects with repeated measurements, the follow-up NKA was increased with advancing baseline NKA levels. The subjects with a reduction in NKA indicated increment in WBC count, neutrophil count, and NLR, and decrease in lymphocyte count. Conclusions: Very low levels of NKA suggest a high inflammatory immune response. The changes in NKA may interact with the balance between neutrophils and lymphocytes.

Natural Killer Cells as a Potential Biomarker for Predicting Immunotherapy Efficacy in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has emerged as an important treatment option. Although immunotherapy may significantly improve survival and quality of life, response rates are as low as 20% in NSCLC patients.

OBJECTIVE

The identification of reliable biomarkers predicting response to immunotherapy is required urgently to determine patient selection guidelines.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from nine NSCLC patients were collected pre- and post-treatment with immunotherapy. The immune cell composition of PBMCs was analyzed using CyTOF with an optimized 32-marker panel. The natural killer (NK) cell activity was assessed with the measurement of interferon (INF)-γ using an NK Vue™ kit.

RESULTS

We found that the percentages of NK cell populations in the immune cells of PBMCs were prominently elevated in the immunotherapy responder group when compared with non-responders. While no meaningful differences were observed in other populations of immune cells, consistent with these results, the overall activity of NK cells in responders was highly elevated compared with that of non-responders. From the analysis of NK subsets, although differences in the population of early NK cells were not observed, the functionally differentiated late NK cells were prominently high in responders.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall activity or number of NK cells may be a useful biomarker to predict immunotherapy response in patients with NSCLC.

A Flow Cytometry-Based Whole Blood Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity Assay Using Overnight Cytokine Activation

Background: Measurement of natural killer (NK) cell function has important clinical utility in several diseases. Although the flow cytometry (FC)-based 4-h NK cytotoxicity assay using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in the clinical laboratory has been used for this purpose, this assay requires large amounts of blood and a rapid PBMC isolation step. Here, we developed an FC-based overnight NK cytotoxicity assay using whole blood (WB), and applied it to patients with liver diseases.

Methods: Peripheral blood of healthy volunteers (n = 28) and patients with liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 19) and liver cirrhosis (n = 7), was analyzed for complete blood count, absolute NK cell count, and NK cell activity (NKA). NKA was evaluated in three assay types: an FC-based overnight WB NK cytotoxicity assay using carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-labeled K562 cells in the presence of various cytokine combinations [including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-18, and IL-21], an FC-based 4-h PBMC NK cytotoxicity assay, and an FC-based CD107a degranulation assay using WB and PBMCs.

Results: Optimal cytokine combinations for NK cell activation in WB were determined (IL-2/IL-18, IL-2/IL-21, and IL-2/IL-18/IL-21). A good correlation was observed between WB and PBMC NK cytotoxicity assays; absolute NK cell counts were better correlated with the WB NK cytotoxicity assay than with the PBMC NK cytotoxicity assay. This WB NK cytotoxicity assay showed that patients with liver diseases had significantly lower NK cytotoxicity than healthy volunteers, under stimulation with various cytokines (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The proposed FC-based overnight WB NK cytotoxicity assay correlates well with the conventional 4-h PBMC NK cytotoxicity assay, demonstrating future potential as a supportive assay for clinical laboratory research and observational studies.

Baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and c-reactive protein predict efficacy of treatment with bevacizumab plus paclitaxel for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer

The effect of bevacizumab plus paclitaxel therapy on progression-free survival (PFS) is prominent; however, no overall survival (OS) benefit has been demonstrated. Our aim was to study the predictive efficacy of peripheral immune-related parameters, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), and c-reactive protein (CRP) in locally advanced and metastatic breast cancers. A total of 179 patients treated with bevacizumab plus paclitaxel were recruited from three institutes in the test cohort. The cut-off values of NLR, ALC, and CRP were set at 3, 1500/μL, and 1.0 mg/dL, respectively, and baseline values of these factors were measured. The PFS of patients with NLR-low was significantly longer than that of patients with -high (median, 12.6 vs. 7.2 months; hazard ratio (HR), 0.48, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.31–0.73; p = 0.0004). OS of patients with NLR-low was significantly better than those with-high (22.2 vs. 13.5 months; HR, 0.57, 95% CI, 0.39–0.83; p = 0.0032). Similarly, improved PFS and OS were recognized in patients with CRP-low as compared with patients with -high (HR, 0.44, 95% CI, 0.28–0.68; p = 0.0001 and HR, 0.39, 95% CI, 0.26–0.61, p < 0.0001, respectively). In the validation cohort from two institutes (n = 57), similar significant improvements in PFS and OS were confirmed for patients with NLR-low (p = 0.0344 and p = 0.0233, respectively) and CRP-low groups (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0001, respectively). Low levels of NLR and CRP at baseline were significantly associated with improved prognosis in patients treated with bevacizumab plus paclitaxel.

Natural killer cell activity and prostate cancer risk in veteran men undergoing prostate biopsy

BACKGROUND

A previous pilot study found that men with a positive prostate biopsy had low numbers of circulating natural killer (NK) cells, compared to biopsy negative men.

METHODS

To confirm these data, we analyzed differences in NK cells from 94 men undergoing prostate biopsy to determine whether NK cells could predict for a positive biopsy. NK cells activity (NKA) was measured by an in vitro diagnostic system, with a pre-defined cut-off value for NKA at 200 pg/mL. Logistic regression and receiver operator characteristics (Area Under the Curve (AUC)) analyses were used to test the diagnostic value of NKA.

RESULTS

The NKA test performance showed specificity of 88%, positive predictive value of 84%, sensitivity of 34%, and a negative predictive value of 41%. Among the 94 men analyzed, NKA was not significantly linked with age, race, digital rectal examination (DRE), prostate volume, PSA or biopsy grade group (all P ≥ 0.14). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) of low NKA (<200 pg/mL) for the detection of PC was 4.89, 95%CI 1.34-17.8, with a ROC area under the curve of 0.79 in all participants and increasing to 0.83 and 0.85 for the detection of PC and high-grade PC, respectively, among men with a normal DRE.

CONCLUSIONS

Men with a low NKA value had five-times higher odds of PC at biopsy. The implementation of this NKA assay in the clinic together with PSA may help to advise patients with the highest risk of PC whether, or not, to undergo a prostate biopsy.

Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products enhanced the production of IFN-γ through the NF-κB pathway in macrophages recruited by ischemia/reperfusion

The current study investigated the role of sRAGE in the production of IFN‑γ in macrophages with I/R treatment. The number of macrophages in myocardial tissues treated with I/R with or without sRAGE was determined via immunohistochemical staining. Proliferative activity of macrophages was analyzed by a 5‑BrdU incorporation assay. Differentiation of macrophages was detected via immunofluorescence staining of iNOS (M1 macrophage marker). IFN‑γ production, due to sRAGE stimulation, in Raw 264.7 macrophages and the NF‑κB signaling pathway were measured using western blotting. A ChIP assay was used to examine the interactions between NF‑κB and the promoter of IFN‑γ. The results showed that the number of macrophages in I/R‑treated myocardial tissues was increased following sRAGE infusion. Proliferation of macrophages was increased significantly in the presence of sRAGE; after I/R treatment, the cells preferred to differentiate into M1 macrophages. IFN‑γ expression in Raw 264.7 macrophages was suppressed by an NF‑κB inhibitor (Bay117082) but enhanced by sRAGE, with or without I/R treatment. Furthermore, sRAGE increased the phosphorylation of IκB, IKK and NF‑κB, as well as the translocation of NF‑κB into the nucleus of Raw 264.7 macrophages, with or without I/R treatment. ChIP results showed that sRAGE promoted NF‑κB binding to the promoter of IFN‑γ in Raw 264.7 macrophages. Therefore, the findings of the present study indicated that sRAGE protected the heart from I/R injuries, which might be mediated by promoting infiltration and the differentiation of macrophages into M1, which would then synthesize and secrete IFN‑γ through activating the NF‑κB signaling pathway.

Association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and natural killer cell activity revealed by measurement of interferon-gamma levels in a healthy population

BACKGROUND

While a method of assaying natural killer (NK) cell activity by measuring the amount of interferon (IFN)-γ released from NK cells has been proposed, no data are available about the factors that influence IFN-γ levels related to NK cell activity. NLR has recently been reported to be a predictor of several diseases. In the present study, we investigated the pre-analytical variables for NK cell activity using measurements of IFN-γ and the relationship between NLR and NK cell activity.

METHODS

The NK cell activity was assessed with the measurement of IFN-γ after stimulation with an NK cell-specific stimulant (NK Vue^™ , ATgen, Sungnam, Korea). One hundred and six adult volunteers were recruited and analysis of their complete blood count data and serum C-reactive protein was done. Blood sample from 59 of the participants was also used for analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations.

RESULT

Natural killer cell activity varied widely (range, 44.2-1775.6 pg/mL). NK cell activity was higher in females than in males (P = 0.014). NK cell activity decreased with increasing NLR (P = 0.004, r = -0.32) but NK cell activity showed no significant association with NK cell count or other lymphocyte subpopulations. NK cell activity levels according to CRP quartile were significantly different (P = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

We have observed that NK cell activity when assessed by IFN-γ level measurement was negatively correlating with NLR. This result can be helpful in interpreting or predicting NK cell activity in the clinical environment.