Modulatory roles of RANTES in IL-4 production by human blood CD4(+)T cells

Vitamin D accelerates resolution of inflammatory responses during tuberculosis treatment

Calcidiol, the major circulating metabolite of vitamin D, supports induction of pleiotropic antimicrobial responses in vitro. Vitamin D supplementation elevates circulating calcidiol concentrations, and thus has a potential role in the prevention and treatment of infection. The immunomodulatory effects of administering vitamin D to humans with an infectious disease have not previously been reported. To characterize these effects, we conducted a detailed longitudinal study of circulating and antigen-stimulated immune responses in ninety-five patients receiving antimicrobial therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis who were randomized to receive adjunctive high-dose vitamin D or placebo in a clinical trial, and who fulfilled criteria for per-protocol analysis. Vitamin D supplementation accelerated sputum smear conversion and enhanced treatment-induced resolution of lymphopaenia, monocytosis, hypercytokinaemia, and hyperchemokinaemia. Administration of vitamin D also suppressed antigen-stimulated proinflammatory cytokine responses, but attenuated the suppressive effect of antimicrobial therapy on antigen-stimulated secretion of IL-4, CC chemokine ligand 5, and IFN-α. We demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for vitamin D supplementation in accelerating resolution of inflammatory responses during tuberculosis treatment. Our findings suggest a potential role for adjunctive vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of pulmonary infections to accelerate resolution of inflammatory responses associated with increased risk of mortality.

Cytokine accumulation in photochemically treated and gamma-irradiated platelet concentrates during storage

BACKGROUND

Photochemical treatment (PCT) for pathogen reduction of platelet concentrates (PCs) affects all cells containing DNA and/or RNA. Soluble mediators, which may cause transfusion reactions, are determined by the balance between secretion and/or cell destruction and binding and/or degradation.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Ten double-dose single-donor leukoreduced PCs were split in two identical units. Two study arms were created: Study Arm A consisting of five PCT PCs with corresponding untreated control PCs and Study Arm B consisting of five PCT PCs with corresponding gamma-irradiated control PCs. PCs that had added PAS-III (Intersol) were treated with amotosalen and ultraviolet A light. Corresponding controls PCs, to which PAS-II (T-sol) were added, received no treatment or were gamma-irradiated before storage. Platelet (PLT)-derived (CCL5/RANTES, CXCL4/PF4, CCL3/MIP-1alpha, transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta, CXCL8/interleukin [IL]-8, IL-1beta) as well as white blood cell (WBC)-associated (IL-6, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor, interferon-gamma) cytokines were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and cytometric bead array during storage for up to 12 days.

RESULTS

Independent of previous treatment we observed that all concentrates showed low levels of WBC-associated cytokines. PLT-derived cytokines were detected at higher levels and showed significant increase during storage. Statistical analysis showed lower PLT content per unit in PCT PCs, higher levels of activation variables in PCT PCs, and higher levels and accumulation rate of CCL5, CXCL4, TGF-beta, and CXCL8 in PCT PCs.

CONCLUSION

PLTs are the main source of released cytokines during storage of untreated, gamma-irradiated, and PCT PCs. PCT may affect the level of PLT-derived cytokines in PCs. No additional reduction of WBC-associated cytokines were observed after PCT in prestorage leukoreduced PCs.