Profiles of interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) may be related to the occurrence of complications, including graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and infections. The pathogenesis of acute GvHD is connected with T lymphocytes, which identify alloantigens on host's antigen-presenting cells, activate production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-2 (IL-2), and act on the immune effector cells and damage tissues and organs.

AIM

The aim of the study was to investigate and distinguish serum concentration profiles of IFN-gamma and IL-2 within a 30-d period after allo-HSCT.

METHODS

We enrolled 62 patients, i.e., 30 (48%) male and 32 (52%) female subjects [median age 49.5 (19-68) years], after allo-HSCT from siblings (n = 12) or unrelated donors (n = 50) due to acute myeloid leukemia with myeloablative conditioning (n = 26; 42%) and with non-myeloablative conditioning (n = 36; 58%). All patients were given standard immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporin-A and methotrexate and pre-transplant antithymocyte globulin in the unrelated setting. Blood samples were collected pre-transplant before and after (on day -1) the conditioning therapy and on days +2,+4, +6, +10, +20, and +30 after allo-HSCT. Serum levels of IL-2 and IFN-gamma were determined using ELISA.

RESULTS

Patients were divided into four groups depending on the presence of acute GvHD and clinical manifestations of infection. Group I included patients with neither acute GvHD nor infections [n = 15 (24%)], group II consisted of patients with infections without acute GvHD [n = 17 (27%)], group III was comprised of patients with acute GvHD without infections [n = 9 (15%)], and group IV included patients with both acute GvHD and infections [n = 21 (34%)]. IFN-gamma concentrations were higher in Group II than in other groups on days +20 (P = 0.014) and +30 (P = 0.008). Post-hoc tests showed lower concentrations of IFN-gamma on day +30 in groups I (P = 0.039) and IV (P = 0.017) compared to group II. The levels of IL-2 were mostly undetectable.

CONCLUSION

Serum levels of IFN-gamma following allo-HSCT progressively escalate. High serum levels of IFN-gamma are related to infectious complications rather than acute GvHD. Serum concentrations of IL-2 in most patients are undetectable.

Altered cytokine profiles in relapsed paucibacillary leprosy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Individuals with relapses of leprosy should be monitored carefully, however, with respect to paucibacillary (PB) leprosy, it is sometimes difficult to make a definitive diagnosis of relapse, because the bacillary index is often negative. To evaluate the usefulness of cytokine profiling in a patient with relapsed PB leprosy who tested negative for anti-phenolic glycolipid-I antibodies, we analyzed the Mycobacterium leprae protein-induced cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the patient.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 89-year-old-male relapsed PB patient, first treated for leprosy over 50 years prior, was examined. In April 2012, he noticed three skin lesions consisting of annular erythema in the thighs. Slit skin smear tests were negative, and skin biopsies revealed a pathology of indeterminate-to-borderline tuberculoid leprosy. He received 600 mg of rifampicin once per month and 75 mg of dapsone daily for 12 months. The annular erythemas disappeared after starting treatment. Before treatment, and 6 and 12 months after starting treatment, the Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles in the supernatant of mononuclear cells from the patient before and after stimulation with Mycobacterium leprae soluble protein (MLS) were examined using a Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) Human Th1/Th2 Cytokine Kit II. The CBA Enhanced Sensitivity Flex Set system was applied to detect small amounts of cytokines in the serum just before treatment and one year before relapse. In the culture supernatant, just before treatment, increases in IFN-γ level and the IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio and a decreased IL-6 level were observed without stimulation. Upon stimulation with MLS, just before treatment, both the IFN-γ and TNF levels increased markedly, and twelve months after starting treatment, the IFN-γ and TNF levels decreased greatly. In the serum, just before treatment, increases in IFN-γ and TNF levels and the IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio were evident compared with those measured one year before relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytokine profiling using culture supernatants and serum samples may be useful for the diagnosis of relapsed PB leprosy.

Association between benzene exposure, serum levels of cytokines and hematological measures in Chinese workers: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Low benzene exposure leads to hematotoxicity, but we still lack sensitive early monitoring and early warning markers. Benzene is associated with inflammation, which is mainly mediated by cytokines network. However, until now few studies have conducted high-throughput detection of multi-cytokines to get a global view of cytokine changes and screen for markers of benzene-induced toxicity. We hypothesized that cytokine profiles mediate benzene-induced hematotoxicity.

METHODS

228 subjects consisting of 114 low benzene exposed workers and 114 healthy controls were recruited at Research Center of Occupational Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing. The serum concentrations of 27 cytokines were detected by cytokinomics array, urinary benzene series metabolites were measured by UPLC-MS/MS, and peripheral blood cell counts were observed by basic blood test.

RESULTS

Among 27 cytokines, IL-9 and MIP1-α were significantly lower, but IL-4, IL-10, IL-15, MCP-1, TNF-α and VEGF were significantly higher in benzene exposure group than controls. Urinary benzene metabolite S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) was significantly higher in benzene exposure group and had a negative linear relationship with WBC count. S-PMA was only significantly associated with IL-9, meanwhile IL-9, IL-15 and VEGF had a positive linear relationship with WBC count. The bootstrapping mediation models showed that the effect of S-PMA on WBC count was partially explained by IL-9 for 10.11%.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that exposure to benzene was associated with alternation of blood cell count and cytokine profiles in workers exposed to low levels of benzene, especially decreases of WBC count and IL-9. We also found IL-9 partially mediated the effect of low benzene exposure on WBC count, which may be a potential and promising early monitoring and early warning marker of benzene hematotoxicity.

Cytokine profiles in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: Survival is associated with IL-6 and IL-17A levels

BACKGROUND

Identifying specific risk factors associated with multiple myeloma (MM) remains a significant issue. Different cytokines take part in the pathogenesis, progression, and prognosis of MM. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlations between serum cytokine levels and clinical characteristics and determine their effects on disease progression and survival of MM patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the serum levels of 7 cytokines in 105 patients with newly diagnosed MM and in 20 healthy subjects. Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ were quantitatively determined by cytometric bead assay techniques. The concentrations of each cytokine were compared between the MM patients and healthy subjects using the Mann-Whitney U test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels were higher in patients with newly diagnosed MM than in healthy controls. Positively significant correlations were found between IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, and β2-microglobulin. Significant correlations were also observed between IL-6 and IL-10, and lactate dehydrogenase. The overall response rate of low-IL-6 and IL-17A patients was significantly higher than that of high-IL-10 and IL-17A patients (P < 0.01). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that serum IL-6 levels were >3 pg/mL, serum IL-17A levels were >4 pg/mL, and treatment regimens were independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytokine deregulation, especially that of IL-6 and IL-17A, may be a powerful predictor of clinical prognosis for MM patients.

Characterization of cytokine profile to distinguish latent tuberculosis from active tuberculosis and healthy controls

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease and its mortality rate ranks first. Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) means that a patient is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but has no relative clinical symptoms. It has been estimated that approximately 10% of patients with LTBI would develop into active tuberculosis. Therefore, it was urgent to search for more efficient biomarkers to discriminate LTBI from healthy population.

METHODS

The Luminex assay was employed to detect the quantity of cytokines secreted by mononuclear cells from peripheral blood stimulated with the ESAT6 protein among TB, LTBI and healthy controls. The cytokine profile was analyzed by principal components analysis and the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

The principal components analysis indicated that LTBI and TB were clearly separated from healthy controls, and that LTBI was also successfully differentiated from healthy controls. The cytokine profiling method to distinguish LTBI from healthy controls has a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Nine potential biomarkers, including IL-23, IL-21, HGF, Bngf, IL-27, IL-31, IL-1β, IL-22 and IL-18, were identified, and these cytokines were considered as a potential cytokine complex for more effectively discriminating LTBI from healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

IL-23, IL-21, HGF, Bngf, IL-27, IL-31, IL-1β, IL-22 and IL-18 were demonstrated to be the potential cytokine complex for the assessment between LTBI and healthy controls.

Zoster patients on earth and astronauts in space share similar immunologic profiles

BACKGROUND

On long-duration spaceflight, most astronauts experience persistent immune dysregulation and the reactivation of latent herpesviruses, including varicella zoster virus (VZV). To understand the clinical risk of these perturbations to astronauts, we paralleled the immunology and virology work-up of astronauts to otherwise healthy terrestrial persons with acute herpes zoster.

METHODS

Blood samples from 42 zoster patients - confirmed positive by PCR for VZV DNA in saliva (range from 100 to >285 million copies/mL) were analyzed for peripheral leukocyte distribution, T cell function, and plasma cytokine profiles via multi-parametric flow cytometry and multiplex bead-based immune-array assays. Patient findings were compared to normal value ranges specific for each assay that were defined in-house previously from healthy adult test subjects.

RESULTS

Compared to the healthy adult ranges, the zoster patients possess (1) a higher proportion of constitutively activated T-cells, (2) a T-cell population skewed towards a more experienced maturation state, (3) depressed general T-cell function, and (4) a higher concentration of 20 of 22 measured plasma cytokines.

DISCUSSION

The pattern of immune dysregulation in zoster patients is similar to that of astronauts during spaceflight who shed VZV DNA in their saliva. Because future deep space exploration missions will be of an unprecedented duration, prolonged immune depression and chronic viral reactivation threaten to manifest overt disease in exploration class astronauts.

Extremely high levels of multiple cytokines in the cord blood of neonates born to mothers with systemic autoimmune diseases

Most infants born to mothers with autoimmune diseases are thought to be entirely healthy. However, the immunological conditions have not been examined thoroughly. Fourteen neonates born to mothers with systemic autoimmune diseases, namely systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis, were included. Serum concentrations of 17 cytokines from the infants' umbilical artery (UA) and vein (UV) and from the mothers' peripheral blood were investigated by a bead array system. Cytokine expression in the placenta was investigated by immunohistochemical staining. The disease was controlled in all mothers, and none had chorioamnionitis. Hypercytokinemia was found in 11 neonates irrespective of their mothers' autoimmune diseases. In six neonates, serum cytokines were at extremely high levels. Four neonates were born by cesarean section because of a non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS) of unknown cause were all included in the hypercytokinemia group. However, all the subjects were discharged without any complications. The cytokine levels were almost the same between UA and UV, but the mothers' blood samples did not show elevation of serum cytokines. There were no differences in the expression of cytokines in the placenta among three patients with different serum cytokines levels. Hypercytokinemia frequently occurred and a cytokine storm state sometimes developed in neonates born to mothers with systemic autoimmune diseases. Growth restriction and NRFS may be related to hypercytokinemia in utero. It is plausible that the high level of cytokines in cord blood originate in neither the mother nor the placenta but in fetal immune tissues. It is important to investigate the immunological mechanisms, prevalence, and long-term influence of hypercytokinemia in a large sample size of neonates and mothers with systemic autoimmune diseases.

Predominant role of innate pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitiligo disease

Vitiligo is a skin disorder with melanocyte destruction and an autoimmune basis. Given the importance of cytokines in autoimmunity, we aimed to find the cytokine profile of innate and adaptive immunity in vitiligo patients, and correlate them with clinical parameters. The serum levels of innate immunity [interleukin(IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-15 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] and T helper(Th)1 [IL-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, TNF-β], Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13) and Th17 (IL-17, IL-23) cytokines in 44 vitiligo patients were measured by multiplex cytokine assay and compared with 44 healthy subjects. All innate immunity (p < 0.04), Th1 (p < 0.01), Th2 (p < 0.05) and Th17 (p < 0.001) cytokines were higher in patients than controls. Total summation levels of innate immunity and adaptive immunity cytokines showed a remarkable up-regulation in the patients (p < 0.0001). The ratio of innate immunity to Th1 (p = 0.03), Th2 (p = 0.01) and Th17 (p = 0.03) cytokines was significantly higher in patients vs. controls. We found significant higher ratio of Th1 to Th2 cytokines and TNF-β elevated levels in patients with a family history of autoimmunity (p < 0.05). IL-4 and IL-13 (p < 0.04) levels were lower in patients with amelanotic hair. Increased IL-10 level was observed in patients with stable disease (p = 0.02).In conclusion, the profile of cytokines in patients showed a dominant role of innate immunity pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitiligo, which suggests the potential of targeting these cytokines for vitiligo treatment. While a higher ratio of Th1/Th2 cytokines was observed in the patients, association of decreased Th2 cytokines with disease complications suggests a protective role for Th2 pathway.

Evaluation of cytokine profiles in rheumatoid arthritis patients with clinically active disease and normal inflammatory indices

OBJECTIVE

To assess the potential utility of a cytokine measurement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with active joint disease but normal acute phase reactants (APR).

METHODS

RA patients in a longitudinal observational registry with available cytokine array data were included. Patients were categorized based on agreement/disagreement of physical examination and APR measurements: concordant high (CH) [high tender and/or swollen joint counts (TJC + SJC > 3) and APR (ESR ≥ 28 mm/h + CRP ≥ 1.5 mg/L)]; concordant low (CL) [TJC + SJC ≤ 3 and normal APR]. Discordant (D) [TJC + SJC > 3 and normal APR] patients were stratified into low, medium, and high-disease activity (DL, DM, DH). Weighted-average and log-transformed cytokine scores were calculated based on results of a cytokine array. Chi-square tests compared categorical variables by concordance status; t tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, ANOVA models, and ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions were used to compare continuous measures.

RESULTS

RA patients (n = 1467) were predominantly male (91%). Compared to CH patients (n = 174), D (n = 434) were younger, less frequently seropositive, with lower TJC, SJC, and DAS28-3v scores (p < 0.001). Cytokine scores for DL, DM, and DH groups were lower than CH patients (p < 0.001) and did not differ between DL, DM, and DH subgroups and were similar to CL (n = 356) patients. In multivariable analyses including CH and D patients, log-cytokine score was associated with higher DAS28-3v scores (p = 0.029). In multivariable analyses including CL patients, concordance status (p = 0.011) and ACPA (p = 0.013) were predictors of higher log cytokine score.

CONCLUSION

In this study, cytokine scores did not identify active joint disease in RA patients with normal APR.

Dataset of plasma and aqueous humor cytokine profiles in patients with exudative age related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

In this report the data was obtained from a prospective case-control study with a sample size of sixteen patients with exudative age related macular degeneration (AMD) due to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and eighteen patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and fifty controls (cataract patients without any other ocular diseases). Luminex bead based multiplex assay with a panel of 41 analytes was used to study the cytokine levels in plasma and aqueous humor.

Serum biochemical parameters and cytokine profiles associated with natural African trypanosome infections in cattle

Background

Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) greatly affects livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana prevalence of AAT is estimated to range between 5 and 50%. Studies have reported serum biochemical aberrations and variability in cytokine profiles in animals during infection. However, information regarding the biochemical parameters and cytokine profiles associated with natural infections are limited. This study was therefore aimed at investigating changes in the levels of serum biochemical parameters and inflammatory cytokines during a natural infection.

Methods

Nested internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based PCR and sequencing were used to characterise trypanosome infection in cattle at two areas in Ghana (Adidome and Accra) of different endemicities. The cattle were sampled at four to five-week intervals over a period of six months. Levels of serum biochemical parameters, including creatinine, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin and total protein and cytokines (interleukin 10, interleukin 4, interleukin 12, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha) were measured in serum samples and then compared between infected cattle and uninfected controls.

Results

The predominant trypanosome species detected in Accra (non-endemic) and Adidome (endemic) were Trypanosoma theileri and Trypanosoma vivax, respectively. Serum biochemical parameters were similar between infected and uninfected cattle in Accra. Infected cattle at Adidome however, had significantly higher levels of ALP, creatinine, total protein and total bilirubin (P < 0.05) and significantly lower levels of cholesterol (P < 0.05) at specific time points. At basal levels and during infection, significantly higher pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory (Th1/Th2) cytokine ratios were observed in cattle at Adidome compared to Accra (P < 0.05), indicating a shift towards Th1 immune response in Adidome. Levels of IL-10 were, however, significantly elevated in infected cattle in Accra (P < 0.05), suggesting high anti-inflammatory cytokine response in Accra.

Conclusion

These results suggests that cattle in an endemic area repeatedly infected with trypanosomes of different species or different antigenic types demonstrate high pro-inflammatory (Th1) immune response and biochemical alterations whereas cattle in a non-endemic area with predominantly chronic T. theileri infections demonstrate high anti-inflammatory response and no biochemical alterations.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2255-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Dataset of longitudinal analysis of tear cytokine levels, CD4, CD8 counts and HIV viral load in dry eye patients with HIV infection

The data presented in this article shows the longitudinal analysis of tear fluid cytokine profiles, blood CD4 and CD8 counts and HIV viral load in 34 dry eye patients with HIV infection during the HAART therapy. Clinical samples were collected from HIV patients with dry eye disease at the time of presentation to the clinic (visit 1), three months (visit 2) and 6 months (visit 3) after the presentation. At each time point tear samples were evaluated for 41 cytokines using Luminex bead based multiplex assay and blood samples were tested for HIV viral load and CD4 and CD8 counts.

An elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines profile in Behcet's disease: A multiplex analysis

The serum levels of sixteen cytokines related to innate immunity, Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells in the sera of 44 patients with Behcet's Disease (BD) and 44 healthy controls have been investigated using the cytokine array technique. Among the cytokines related to innate immunity, the levels of IL-1α, IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-15 and TNF-α were statistically higher in BD patients than healthy controls. In the case of Th1- and Th17-related cytokines, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly higher in patients. From Th2-related cytokines, only IL-13 showed statistically higher levels in patients than controls. Among different evaluated cytokines, the differences in IL-1 α, IL-1 β, IL-6 and Ʃinnate-related cytokines were more prominent between cases and controls. In addition, the results showed that Ʃinnate- and ƩTh17-related cytokines are better indicators of cytokines imbalances in BD than each one of the innate- and Th17-related cytokines. Moreover, disease activity score and clinical activity index can also be affected by the levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4) cytokines. In conclusion, the results revealed that imbalances in the expression of innate immunity- as well as Th1- and Th17-related cytokines may play not only a pivotal role in BD pathogenesis but also can be important in disease severity.

Effect of memory CD4+ T cells' signal transducer and activator of transcription (STATs) functional shift on cytokine-releasing properties in asthma

BACKGROUND

Recent data have demonstrated that long-lived memory T cells are present in the human lung and can play significant roles in the pathogenesis of specific allergic and autoimmune diseases. However, most evidence has been obtained from mouse studies, and the potential roles of memory T cells in human allergic diseases, such as asthma, remain largely unknown.

METHODS

Thirty-three asthmatics, 26 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, and 22 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the peripheral blood, and cell surface staining (CD4, CD45RO, CRTH2, CD62L, and CCR7) was performed for the detection of memory CD4⁺ T cells in blood. After stimulation with interleukin-27 (IL-27) or IL-4 for 15 min, the STAT1/STAT6 phosphorylation of memory CD4⁺ T cells was measured separately by flow cytometric techniques. The cytokine-releasing profiles after 6 days of culture under neutralization, T_H2, T_H2 + lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and T_H2 + house dust mite (HDM) conditions were detected by intracellular protein (IL-5, IL-17, and interferon (IFN)-γ) staining. Correlation analyses between the profile of memory CD4⁺ T cells and clinical characteristics of asthma were performed.

RESULTS

The number of circulating memory CD4⁺ T (CD4⁺ Tm) cells in asthmatics was increased compared with that in the healthy subjects (48 ± 5.7 % vs. 32 ± 4.1 %, p < 0.05). Compared with COPD and healthy subjects, the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1-py) was impaired in asthmatics, whereas the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6-py) was slightly enhanced. This imbalance of STAT1-py/STAT6-py was attributed to T_H2 memory cells but not non-T_H2 memory cells in blood. The cytokine-releasing profiles of asthmatics was unique, specifically IL-5^high, IL-17^high, and IFN-r^low, compared with those of COPD patients and healthy subjects. The IL-17 production levels in CD4⁺ Tm cells are associated with disease severity and positively correlated with medication consumption in asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-lived, antigen-specific memory CD4⁺ T cells, rather than PBMCs or peripheral lymphocytes, might be the ideal T cell subset candidates for analyzing the endotype of asthma. Memory CD4⁺ T cells exhibiting a shift in STAT phosphorylation and specific cytokine-releasing profiles have the potential to facilitate the understanding of disease heterogeneity and severity, allowing the more personalized treatment of patients.