The significance of EMAP-II after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Effects of recombinant thrombomodulin therapy and soluble human leukocyte antigen-G levels during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND

Conditioning chemotherapies for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), especially those that include total body irradiation, can result in serious complications such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a non-classical class I molecule with multiple immunoregulatory functions.

METHODS

We measured interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)β₁, and soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in HSCT patients and examined the relationship between sHLA-G levels and acute GVHD (aGVHD). Additionally, we investigated the effect of recombinant soluble thrombomodulin (rTM) therapy on sHLA-G levels. Our study cohort included 135 patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT at several institutions in Japan.

RESULTS

Serum levels of IL-10 and TGFβ₁ exhibited no significant changes following HSCT. In contrast, levels of sHLA-G were significantly increased at days 21 and 28 post-HSCT. For patients with confirmed complications, the frequency of aGVHD was significantly lower in those with a > 2.8-fold increase in sHLA-G levels at day 28 relative to day 7 post-HSCT. sHLA-G levels in patients who received rTM therapy were significantly higher at days 21 and 28 post-HSCT compared with those in patients who did not receive rTM therapy.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that HLA-G/sHLA-G participate in prevention of GVHD, and that rTM may prevent aGVHD following HSCT by promoting elevation of sHLA-G.

Associations between acute GVHD-related biomarkers and endothelial cell activation after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can cause serious transplant-related complications such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Acute GVHD (aGVHD) has been diagnosed by clinical manifestations, laboratory data and pathological effects until now, but recently the discovery of specific biomarkers such as suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2), elafin and regenerating islet-derived 3α (REG3α) is challenging this approach.

METHODS

We investigated the expression of aGVHD-related markers (regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secretes: RANTES, elafin, REG3α and ST2) and endothelial cell activation markers (soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule: sVCAM-1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor: PAI-1) in patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT. Additionally, we studied the effects of recombinant soluble thrombomodulin (rTM) on the expression of these markers. Our study cohort included 225 patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT at several institutions in Japan.

RESULTS

RANTES, sVCAM-1, PAI-1, elafin, REG3α and ST2 exhibited significant increases in patients not receiving rTM after HSCT. When we examined patients with confirmed complications, the frequencies of aGVHD and VOD were significantly lower in the rTM-treated group. In addition, aGVHD-related biomarkers such as elafin, REG3α, and ST2 were elevated significantly in patients with aGVHD.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that endothelial cell activation might be linked to aGVHD, and that rTM might act to prevent aGVHD, at least in part, through its effect on endothelial cells.

Endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide II in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Relation to micro-vascular complications

OBJECTIVES

Endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP II) is a multifunctional polypeptide with proinflammatory and antiangiogenic activity. Hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia appears to be significant factors contributing to increased EMAP-II levels. We determined serum EMAP II in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes as a potential marker for micro-vascular complications and assessed its relation to inflammation and glycemic control.

METHODS

Eighty children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of micro-vascular complications and compared with 40 healthy controls. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and EMAP II levels were assessed.

RESULTS

Serum EMAP II levels were significantly increased in patients with micro-vascular complications (1539 ± 321.5 pg/mL) and those without complications (843.6 ± 212.6 pg/mL) compared with healthy controls (153.3 ± 28.3 pg/mL; p<0.001). EMAP II was increased in patients with microalbuminuria than normoalbuminuric group (p<0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between EMAP II levels and body mass index, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, serum creatinine, triglycerides, total cholesterol, urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) and hs-CRP (p<0.05). A cutoff value of EMAP II at 1075 pg/mL could differentiate diabetic patients with and without micro-vascular complications with a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 82%.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that EMAP II is elevated in type 1 diabetic patients, particularly those with micro-vascular complications. EMAP II levels are related to inflammation, glycemic control, albuminuria level of patients and the risk of micro-vascular complications.