Serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) in dogs diagnosed with cutaneous lymphoma / [Níveis séricos do receptor solúvel de interleucina-2 (sIL-2R) e antígeno do câncer 125 (CA 125) em cães diagnosticados com linfoma cutâneo]

Marcadores sorológicos são rotineiramente utilizados na prática clínica para o estadiamento de linfomas e para a determinação de seu prognóstico em humanos. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre sua utilização em cães, mesmo os linfomas sendo neoplasias com alta prevalência nessa espécie. No presente estudo, as concentrações séricas do receptor solúvel de interleucina-2 (sIL-2R) e do antígeno do câncer 125 (CA 125) foram mensurados em 10 cães saudáveis e em 15 cães com linfoma cutâneo, utilizando-se o kit ELISA canino e a leitura em um Stat Fax modelo 2100 (sIL-2R), bem como o kit ELISA humano e a leitura pelo ELISYS UNO humano (CA 125). Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferença significativa (P<0,05) nas concentrações dos marcadores entre os grupos. Além disso, os resultados não apontaram significância clínica no estadiamento tumoral e estabelecimento do prognóstico em cães diagnosticados com linfoma cutâneo.(AU)

Role of soluble interleukin-2 receptor and cellular interleukin-2 receptor in the monitoring of hepatitis C virus related liver diseases

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] is considered the most common etiology of chronic liver disease in Egypt. It infects immune cells such as B and T lymphocytes, altering their normal functions. Thus liver damage is thought to be the result of these factors that affect the immune response to viral antigens. This study aimed to determine the role of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor [sIL-2R] and cellular interleukin-2 receptor in the hepatitis C virus disease, and to determine whether other cellular markers have any role to play in that process. In addition to assess the relationship between different diagnostic tools for estimating HCV activity, particularly measurement of serum viral load by branched DNA technology. Levels of sIL-2R were measured by ELISA in the sera of 35 chronic liver disease [CLD] patients, 35 asymptomatic hepatitis C virus carriers [ASC] and 15 healthy subjects negative for HCV markers served as normal controls [NC]. Also, we studied peripheral blood mono-nuclear cells [PBMNCs] samples from the study groups for the surface expression of CD7, CD19 and CD25. The mean serum sIL-2R levels were significantly elevated in the CLD group compared to ASC and NC groups [P. value <0.001, <0.001 respectively]. Patients with CLD showed significant increase in both CD7[+]/CD25[+] PBMNCs [represent mostly active T lymphocytes] and CD19[+]/CD25[+] PBMNCs [represent mostly active B lymphocytes] than other groups. Both patients groups showed decrease in both CD7[+]/CD25[+] PBMNCs [represent mostly T lymphocytes] and CD19[+]/CD25[+] PBMNCs [represent mostly B lymphocytes] than normal control group. Soluble interleukin -2 receptors [sIL-2R] concentration may be a useful non-invasive surrogate marker of disease activity in HCV infection; high levels of sIL-2R are related to activity of the disease rather than to virus replication

Prognostic value of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor in Egyptian chronic hepatitis c patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. A strong Thl response seems to be associated with viral clearance. It is generally accepted that T cell activation is characterized by the synthesis and secretion of interleukin-2 and by the expression of Interleukin-2 receptors [IL-2R] on the cell surface of immune cells. The aim of this study is to determine the evolution of soluble IL-2 receptors [sIL2-R], as an indicator of activation of T cells in HCV patients treated with ribavirin and pegylated interferon and its correlation with outcome of therapy. 53 naive [previously not treated] chronic HCV patients eligible for criteria of therapy according to the international guidelines were recruited. Pegylated interferon alpha-2a [IFNalpha-2a] was used subcutaneously once a week for 48 weeks. Ribavirin tablets in a dose of 13mg/kg were given daily in 2 divided doses Liver function and complete blood picture were monitored weekly for the first month and then monthly in the course of administration of therapy. HCV-RNA was monitored every 3 month. Sera were collected at different time point before and during therapy and tested for level of soluble IL2-R using ELISA techniques. Prior to therapy, mean serum soluble IL-2R level was significantly higher in patients with HCV as compared to controls [3709.05 +/- 291.4 pg/ml versus 1770.6 pg/ml +/- 220.3, p<0.01]. After end of therapy, patients were retrospectively classified into 2 groups, responders and non-responders. In responders, the level of sIL-2R raised significantly after 4 weeks of therapy as compared to pre-treatment level [4501 +/- 309 pg/ml versus 3550 +/- 291 pg/ml p= 0.01]. In non-responders, however, the difference in serum sIL2R before therapy and after 4 weeks of therapy was non-significant [4021 +/- 567 pg/ml versus 3934 +/- 550 pg/ml p=0.9]. The levels of serum sIL2-R significantly correlated in a linear model with ALT levels before starting the therapy. Monitoring of sIL-2R levels may therefore be of value as an adjunct to the measurement of serum ALT and HCV-RNA in predicting the response to interferon therapy in HCV patients

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with vitiligo

Vitiligo is a hypopigmentary dennatosis of probable autoiminune origin. The disease may be the consequence of an autoimmune response of cytotoxic T lymphocytes against melanocyte antigens. The measurement of soluble interiuekin-2 receptor [s IL-2R] in serum has been shown to be useful in monitoring, in vivo, the immune activation, and the elevation of sIL-2R is correlated with T cell mediated immune diseases. In order to study the role of sIL-2R in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, the level of sIL-2R was measured in the serum of 39 patients with vitiligo and 20 normal controls using the method of sandwich ELISA. The patients were divided according to the type of the disease into 3 groups; generalized type [19 patients], focal type [12 patients] and segmental type [8 patients]. There was a highly significant increase in sIL-2R level in patients with vitiligo [414.8 +/- 115.1 U/ml] compared with that of the controls [274.36 +/- 30.1 U/ml, P = 0.0001]. There was no significant difference among sIL-2R levels according to sex, either in patients with vitligo or controls. According to the clinical types of vitiligo, sIL-2R levels in generalized and focal types showed highly significant results compared to the control group, while in the segmental type, the level of sIL-2R was not highly significant as the other two types. As regards to the activity of the disease there was a highly significant difference [P = 0.0001] of sIL-2R level between the patients with progressive vitiligo lesions in relation to patients with stable lesions. As regard to the duration of the disease, there was a highly significant increase of sIL-2R levels in patients of less than one year duration [P =0.001] compared to the patients with vitiligo of more than one year duration. From the results of this study, it was noticed that the level of sEL-2R was significantly increased in generalized and focal types of vitiligo than the segmental type and this indicates that the activation of T lymphocytes would be an important component in the pathogenesis of the former 2 types of vitiligo. Also, the results showed that assessing sIL-2R may be significant in estimating the progression of the disease

Hemophagoctic lymphohistiocytosis--recent concept.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare condition characterized by highly stimulated but inactive immune response. The disease may be inherited or acquired due to infections, collagen vascular diseases and malignancies. The pathological hallmark of the syndrome is aggressive proliferation of macrophages and histiocytes. Decreased NK cell activity results in increased T cell activation resulting production of large quantities of interferon gamma (IFN gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). This causes sustained macrophage activation and tissue infiltration as well as production of interleukin 1 (IL1) and interleukin 6 (IL6).The resulting inflammatory reaction causes extensive damage and associated symptoms. Patients with HLH commonly present with high fever, anemia and splenomegaly. Minimal diagnostic parameters are a complete hemogram, liver function test, serum triglycerides and ferritin, coagulation profile including fibrinogen and bone marrow aspiration. Two highly sensitive diagnostic marker are an increased plasma concentration of the alpha chain of soluble IL2 receptor (CD25) and impaired NK cell activity. Hyperinflammation can be treated with steroid, Cyclosporine prevents T lymphocytes and immunoglobulin infusion helps to control the infection. Etoposide may be life saving specially in case of HLH with Ebstein Barr Viruses infection. The Histiocyte Society in 1994 developed a common treatment protocol (HLH-94). In January 2004 a revised HLH treatment protocol was opened entitled HLH-2004, which is based on HLH-94 with minor modifications. There is a high remission rate on the HLH-94 and HLH-2004 treatment protocols.

Changes in serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor and fas-ligand expression in relation to disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus

Serum soluble IL-2 receptors [sIL2R] levels and Fas-ligand [Fas-L] expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMC] were determined in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus [SLE] to assess whether there was any relationship between them and disease activity. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant assay [ELISA] technique was done on serum samples collected from 36 SLE patients and 25 healthy controls for determination of sIL2R level. RT-PCR was done also on PBMC samples collected from the same patients and controls for detection ofFas-L mRNA. We found significant increase of sIL2R in the SLE group [327.6 +/- 73.5 pg/ml] compared to healthy controls [119.7 _ 12.6 pg/ml] [p<0.001]. Levels of sIL2R were found to correlate significantly with clinical manifestation and serological markers of active SLE: fatigue [p<0.05], renal involvement [p<0.01], pulmonary involvement [p<0.05], high levels ofanti-ds DNA antibody [p<0.001] and high C3 level [p<0.0001]. Fas-L mRNA was expressed in PBMC from [88.9%] SLE patients and not detected in healthy controls. Fas-L positive SLE patients correlate significantly with clinical manifestation and serological markers of active SLE: fatigue [p<0.0001], rash [p<0.05], renal affection [p<0.001], high levels ofanti-ds DNA antibody [p<0.0001] and high C3 level [p<0.0001]. Levels ofsIL2R and Fas-L expression correlate significantly with disease activity [p<0.001, 0.001, 0.05, 0.005, respectively]. these findings indicate that sIL2R represent a new early useful serological marker to monitor disease activity in SLE patients. Fas-L expression increased in SLE patients, this increasing was in parallel to disease activity, so it is used as late marker to monitor the severity of the disease

[Seric soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Tunisia. Prospective study about 45 cases]

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha [sIL-2Ralpha is a well-known indicator of T-cell activation noted to be increasing in nasopharyngeal cancer. The aims of this study were to evaluate the importance of the use of this marker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Our prospective study interested 45 patients [35M/10F] with a mean age of 49 years [15 to 78], presenting a nasopharyngeal carcinoma histologically confirmed and 61 healthy controls. A blood sample was collected from each patient before any treatment, as well as controls to measure sIL-2Ralpha by immunoenzymatic assay. According to the disease status after a period of follow-up ranging from three to 22 months [median 12 months], patients were divided into two groups: The remission group [n = 28] represented those with favourable evolution and a second group of 15 patients with unfavourable evolution [2 death, 4 cases of persistent primary disease and 9 patients with distance metastasis]. 2 patients were lost to follow-up. serum sIL-2Ralpha levels were significantly higher in patients vs healthy controls [p < 0.0001]. The serum levels correlated with the stage T of NPC [p = 0.01]. Patients having a favourable evolution have lower sIL-2Ralpha levels before treatment vs those with unfavourable evolution without statistical difference. Measurement of serum sIL-2Ralpha provides a good estimation of the nasopharyngeal tumor burden. The usefulness of this marker as a parameter to predict prognosis in NPC should be examined further

Determination of laboratory reference ranges for lymphocyte immunophenotype subsets in healthy adult Japanese using flow cytometry.

This study represents a comprehensive evaluation of normative values for lymphocyte immunophenotype subsets using flow cytometry techniques in a Japanese population. Lymphocyte reference ranges were determined for percentage and absolute count of T, B, and NK cells in healthy adult Japanese using an extensive two-color immunophenotyping panel and consistently applied quality control methodology. Reference values were also determined for activation markers on CD3+ lymphocytes CD3+/CD25+, CD3+/CD38+ and CD3+/HLA-DR+. Differences in age and gender were observed for specific lymphocyte subsets. Comparison of the Japanese study with a Thai multi-center study that used similar methodology also demonstrated ethnic differences in lymphocyte reference ranges. The results in this study strongly suggest that reference values derived from studies in one population may not be applied to another population even when similar protocols for reagents, instruments and procedures are used although such studies do appear useful for epidemiological comparisons.

Study of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in asthmatic children as a marker of t-cell activation in bronchial asthma

The study was designed to determine the degree of activation of T lymphocytes of patients with asthma by measuring the concentration of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in the serum from asthma patients with acute attacks and in remission. We examined 35 asthmatic children in their wheezy state and 35 asthmatic children during remission as well as 30 healthy children matching age and sex. The patients and controls were subjected to full history taking, complete clinical examination, and complete blood picture [including, total leucocytic count, Hb% and absolute eosinophilic count] chest X-ray and serum soluble interleukin-2 receptors. Statistical analysis of the results showed highly significant difference in serum slL-2R from patients with acute asthma than from patients at clinical remission or from control subjects. This study provides further evidence that the more severe the attack the more the concentration of sli-2R. Patients on steroids had lower serum slL-2R than those not received steroids. No correlation between serum concentration of slL-2R and sex, AEC and TLC. There is a negative correlation between serum concentration ofslL-2R and age of asthmatic patients

Níveis plasmáticos de marcadores imunoinflamatórios na aterosclerose coronaria primária e na reestenose coronaria pós-angioplastia / Plasma levels of immunoinflammatory markers in De Novo coronary atherosclerosis and coronary restenosis postangioplasty

OBJECTIVE: To compare circulating plasma levels of immunoinflammatory markers in patients with known de novo coronary artery disease and patients with postangioplasty restenosis. METHODS: Using enzymatic immunoabsorbent assay, we measured plasma levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptosr, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and soluble tumor necrosis alpha receptors I and II in 11 patients with restenosis postcoronary angioplasty (restenosis group), in 10 patients with primary atherosclerosis (de novo group) who were referred for coronary angiography because of stable or unstable angina, and in 9 healthy volunteers (control group). Levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors were significantly higher in the de novo group compared with that in the restenosis and control groups. Levels were also higher in the restenosis group compared with that in the control group. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis alpha and receptor levels were significantly higher in the de novo group compared to with that in the restenosis and control groups, but levels in the restenosis group were not different from that in the controls. CONCLUSION: Coronary artery disease, either primary or secondary to restenosis, is associated with significant immunoinflammatory activity, which can be assessed by examining the extent of circulating plasma levels of inflammatory markers. Moreover, patients with de novo lesions appear to have increased inflammatory activity compared with patients with restenosis

Serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptors during acute asthma exacerbation, and its relation to severity and response to bronchodilator therapy

Lymphocytes are prominent among the inflammatory cells infiltrating the asthmatic airways and T-cell activation appears to be a characteristic feature of acute asthma. In patients with acute asthma who respond well to bronchodilator therapy, the main mechanism of airflow obstruction is smooth muscle contraction, while in patients with poor response the main mechanism is airway inflammation. This study was conducted on 60 children with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma. They were divided into three groups [mild, moderate and severe] according to the severity of the acute attack, utilizing a clinical scoring system and through measuring Peak Expiratory Flow Rate [PEFR], and oxygen saturation. Serum level of sIL-2R was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay both in the studied cases and in 20 healthy controls. The mean serum level of sIL-2R in the studied cases [5207.5 +/- 2084.9 pg/ml] was significantly higher than its mean level in controls [1742.5 +/- 801.9 pg/ml] [t=9.37, P=0.000]. Its mean level in severe exacerbation [8090.8 +/- 1222.6 pg/ml] was significantly higher than its mean level in moderate exacerbation [5255.0 +/- 1112.8 pg/ml], that was significantly higher than its mean level in mild exacerbation [3164.6 +/- 990.8 pg/ml] [F= 77.36, P=0.000]. There was a significant negative correlation between the levels of sIL-2R and both the baseline PEFR [r = -0.710, P=0.000] and oxygen saturation [r = -0.521, P=0.000]. After receiving bronchodilator therapy, the mean level of sIL-2R in cases with no or partial response [6486.8 +/- 1900.4 pg/ml] was significantly higher than its mean level in cases with complete response [4088.1 +/- 1534.9 pg/ml] [t=5.406, P=0.000]. A higher level of sIL-2R at acute asthma exacerbation was associated not only with more severe exacerbation but also with a lower degree of bronchodilator responsiveness

Expression of interleukin-2R alpha chain [CD25] on peripheral blood lymphocytes in HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis patients

Mashhad, a city in northern Iran, is a newly recognized endemic area for a retrovirus, the Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus type I [HTLV-I]. This virus is the causative agent of a chronic slowly progressive cord syndrome called HTLV-I associated with Human T-cell virus type I-associated myelopathy or/tropical spastic paraparesis [HAM/TSP] and has tropism for CD4+ T- cells, which results in T-cell activation that escape the autocrine pathway. The purpose of this study was to determine the immuno-phenotypic features of peripheral blood lymphocytes of HAM/TSP patients, especially differential expression of interleukin-2 receptor

Interleuquina-6, receptor soluble de interleuquina-2 y proteína C reactiva como marcadores de sepsis neonatal / Interleukin-6, soluble interleukin-2 receptor and Creactive proteins markers of neonatal sepsis

La sepsis bacteriana neonatal constituye una de las principales causas de muerte, o de secuelas muchos veces irreversibles, después de las primeras 72 horas de vida. Debido a que el diagnóstico precoz es crucial para mejorar el pronóstico de los neonatos infectados, y que los métodos actuales no presentan la necesaria sensibilidad y rapidez, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar la posible utilidad de la determinación de Interleuquina 6 (IL6) y del Receptor soluble de Interleuquina 2 (sIL-2R) como marcadores diagnósticos y pronósticos de sepsis neonatal y, asimismo, efectuar la comparación con un marcador clásico de infección bacteriana como es la Proteína C Reactiva (PCR). Se estudiaron cuatro grupos de recién nacidos, comprendidos en la siguiente clasificación clínico-epidemiológica: sepsis confirmada (SC), n=22, sepsis muy probable (SMP), n=18, sepsis probable (SP), n=11 y sin infección bacteriana (SIB), n=13. Mediante inmunoensayo enzimático se realizó el dosaje de los niveles séricos de IL6 y sIL-2R y por inmunodifusión la determinación semicuantitativa de PCR. Se calculó el límite de corte para cada determinación con los valores obtenidos en los neonatos no infectados y para el cálculo de sensibilidad, especificidad y valor predictivo se tomó como referencia el resultado del análisis microbiológico. Los siguientes resultados fueron obtenidos en las muestras tomadas en el momento de la admisión: sensibilidad: IL6 90 por ciento, sIL-2R 60 por ciento, PCR 41 por ciento; especificidad: IL6 50 por ciento, sIL-2R 100 por ciento, PCR 100 por ciento; valor predictivo negativo: IL6 75 por ciento, sIL-2R 58 por ciento, PCR 59 por ciento. Para evaluar el comportamiento como marcadores evolutivos, se tomó una muestra a las 48 horas, cuando los pacientes de los grupos SC, SMP y SP estaban bajo tratamiento antibiótico. Los resultados mostraron que IL6 descendió en los neonatos con evolución favorable e incrementó marcadamente en los que tuvieron desenlace fatal; sIL-2R mostró un comportamiento inverso y PCR no sufrió variaciones detectables en el período estudiado. Los resultados obtenidos en el presente trabajo sugieren que IL6 puede ser un buen marcador de sepsis neonatal, fundamentalmente por su elevada sensibilidad, y que la especificidad puede incrementarse mediante el estudio de un perfil de marcadores. Asimismo, la cinética obtenida mediante el estudio seriado de IL6 y sIL-2R le otorga valor en el pronóstico y en la evaluación...

Interleukin-2 receptor, tumor necrosis factor alpha and immunoglobulins in children with minimal change lesion nephrotic syndrome [MCNS]

As minimal change nephrotic syndrome is believed to be an autoimmune disease in which activated T-lymphocytes are concerned with a role for both humoral and cell mediated immunity in the induction of glomerular injury. Study of soluble interleukin-2 receptor and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-] [two important cytokines associated in the regulation of the immune response] and correlation of their levels with serum IgG, IgM, and IgA concentrations as well as indicators of nephrotic syndrome was evaluated in this work. The study was conducted on 30 children with minimal changes nephrotic syndrome [MCNS] [16 on remission state and 14 in relapse state] and 10 healthy children as comparable controls. Those 30 cases of minimal change nephrotic syndrome were chosen from 46 nephrotic cases admitted to pediatric department of Benha University hospital. Diagnosis of MCNS, based on steroid responsiveness and results of renal biopsy as 16 cases were proved to be lesions other than minimal change and were excluded from the study. Significant low levels of IgG and IgA while, significant rise of IgM levels were found in nephrotic patients either in the remission or the relapse state compared to the controls. Also, mean SIL-2R and TNF- levels were significantly increased in the relapse state but were non significantly increased in the remission state in comparison to healthy controls. Moreover, SIL-2R and TNF-levels were negatively correlated to the age of patients, indicators of nephrotic syndrome [blood proteins and serum albumin] and serum concentrations of IgG, IgA and IgM. It was concluded that elevated levels of these cytokines can result in induction of glomerular injury and so they may play a critical role in the pat ho genesis of minimal change nephrotic syndrome. Thus, they can be used as new markers in the diagnosis and to judge prognosis of the disease

Interleukins in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a multisystemic disorder of unknown etiology. Recently, endothelial damage has been implicated in its cause. The objective of this study was to determine the role of interleukins in the etiology of preeclampsia. Patients and Thirty-two primigravidas with preeclampsia but without any clinical evidence of infection and 32 age-matched primigravidas with uncomplicated normal pregnancies were investigated. Phlebotomy was performed at 32 weeks of gestation and blood collected for immunoassays of interleukin-2 [IL- 2], interleukin-2 receptor [IL-2R], interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-8 [IL-8] and interleukin-10 [IL-10], using commercially available immunoassay kits. Although the maternal plasma concentrations of IL-2 and IL-2R were slightly higher in normal pregnant women [76.3 +/- 13.7 pg/mL and 526.3 +/- 47.1 pg/mL, respectively] than in women with preeclampsia [57.8 +/- 10.8 pg/mL and 476.9 +/- 33.9 pg/mL, respectively], the differences were not statistically significant [P>0.05]. However, maternal plasma IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations were significantly higher [P<0.05] in normal pregnancy [158.0 +/- 35.4 pg/mL and 5163.6 +/- 800 pg/mL, respectively] than in pregnancy complicated with preeclampsia [60.0 +/- 13.7 pg/mL and 2495.8 +/- 729.4 pg/mL, respectively]. On the other hand, maternal plasma concentration of IL-10 was significantly higher [P<0.05] in preeclampsia [93.2 +/- 24.1 pg/mL] than in normal pregnancy [31.0 +/- 7.0 pg/mL]. It is concluded that the elevated maternal plasma IL-10 concentration in preeclampsia may be a protective response to maternal immunorejection

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor [sIL-2R], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF - alpha] and its receptor as prognostic markers in non-hodgkin's lymphoma

This study aimed at assessing whether pretreatment levels of interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-10 [IL-10], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF- alpha], soluble TNF type 1 receptor [p55-R-TNF] and soluble interleukin-2 receptor [sIL-2R] are related to known clinical and biological prognostic factors of lymphoma. Thirty-five patients diagnosed to have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL] were studied. Patients were treated by 6 cycles of multiagent chemotherapy regimen containing Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, Vincristine and Prednisolone [CHOP]. Serum cytokines levels were determined in their serum by an Enzyme Amplified Sensitivity Immunoassay [EASIA] and chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric assay. Statistically significant higher pretreatment levels of sIL-2R [p<0.0001], IL-6 [P<0.0001], IL-10 [p=0.01] and p55-R-TNF [P<0.0001] were observed in NHL patients as compared to controls. sIL- 2R and TNF- alpha levels correlated with tumor burden [P> 0.02 and> 0.01, respectively], while, significantly high levels of IL-6, TNF- alpha and p55-R-TNF were found in patients presented with beta symptoms [P = 0.01, 0.05 and 0.025 respectively]. Following treatment, cytokine levels progressively declined in responding patients. However, no single parameter was found to be of independent prognostic significance. Dramatic variations in sIL- 2 R and TNF- alpha levels between responder and non-responders suggested that combination of these markers might have a prognostic value in management of NHL. These markers could be used in monitoring disease activity and identification of high risk patients who need more aggressive therapy

Cell kinetic analysis of interleukin-2 receptors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia using the AgNOR silver stain

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia [B-CLL] is typically a low grade neoplasm with a diploid DNA index and low proliferative activity. Interleukin-2 receptor [IL-2 R/CD[25]] positivity often indicates increased proliferative activity and activation in both T and B lymphocytes. The argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions [AgNORs] are loops of DNA identified by a silver staining technique and have been correlated with ploidy and proliferative activity. Two AgNOR counting methods have been previously shown to correlate with DNA ploidy and proliferative activity. The mean AgNOR count [mAgNOR] correlates more with ploidy and the percentage of nuclei with >/= 5 AgNORs / nucleus [pAgNOR] reflects proliferative activity. Bone marrow specimens were obtained from 20 patients with newly diagnosed B-CLL, they were subjected to AgNOR silver stain and expression of IL-2R [CD[25]]. All tumors were CD[5+9] CD[19+9] CD[20+0]. Ten tumors were IL-2R -ve [< 20%, IL-2R + B cells] and 10 were IL-2R + ve [>/= 20%, IL-2R + B cells]. There was also a preponderance of lambda light chain expression in the IL-2R +ve tumors [7/10] compared with IL-2R -ve cases [3/10]. Except for one case, all tumors had mAgNOR counts within the diploid range [<2.4]. The ten IL-2R - ve tumors had pAgNOR in the range of 1% to 7% [mean 3.5 +/- 2.12%], whereas the IL-2R +ve tumors had significantly higher pAgNOR ranging from 6 to 15% [mean 10.9 +/- 2.99%] p < 0.001. This finding suggests that IL-2R +ve B-CLL might represent a subgroup of tumors with higher proliferative activity. Also the study indicates that silver staining technique could reliably be used as an alternative method of cell kinetic analysis when the material available is not suitable for assessment by other methods such as now cytometry, Ki[-67] labeling index or IL-2R expression. It is a simple, cheap and available to every laboratory

Possible role of schistosoma mansoni infection in male hypogonadism

Schistosomiasis has been suggested to decrease the reproductive potential or castrate both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. Furthermore, schistosomiasis may cause anatomic anomalies of the reproductive organs responsible for permanent or reversible infertility. To specify the effect of schistosomiasis on gonadal functions, production of testosterone [TS], leutinizing hormone [LH] and estradiol [E2] in Egyptian men infected with Schistosomiasis were studied. All participants were tested for clinical examination, semen, liver function tests and blood level of IL-2. The mean TS levels were at the lowest limit of normal range for liver cirrhotic patients. Mean E2 levels were increased in all patients, but patients with liver cirrhosis-related schistosomiasis had higher E2 levels. Linear regression analysis showed that the sex hormone levels correlated best with the patient's liver function parameters. The present data suggested that a sex hormone imbalance played a role in patients with liver cirrhosis due to the inhibitory effects of schistosomiasis on gonadal functions

Valores de referencia del receptor soluble de interleucina-2 en recién nacidos de término / Reference values of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in full term newborns

Se determinó la concentración sérica del receptor soluble de interleucina-2 (RSIL-2) en recién nacidos de término (RNT) sanos. La determinación cuantitativa del RSIL-2 se realizó con técnica de ELISA con equipo de INMUNOTECH. Se estudiaron 31 RNT a las 24 horas de vida. Se obtuvo un valor medio de RSIL-2 de 3.281 pg/ml (ñ 759,5 DS), con una mediana de 3.360 pg/ml (rango 1.470-4.704 pg/ml). Los niveles fueron similares en los RNT nacidos por parto y por cesárea, p = 0,79. Conocer los valores de referencia de RSIL-2 en RNT sanos es de importancia para poder interpretar cuándo están elevados por activación del sistema inmune

O receptor solúvel sérico da interleucina-2 na doença de Graves pode ser um marcador biológico da funçäo tiroideana / Seric soluble interleukin-2 receptor in Graves' disease can be a biological marker of the thyroid function

Nao está bem estabelecido se a diminuiçao do receptor solúvel sérico da IL-2 (sIL-2R), que se observa durante o tratamento do hipertiroidismo com metimazol (MMI), reflete a diminuiçao de T3 e T4 ou um efeito direto do MMI no sistema imune. O sIL-2R foi avaliado em 28 pacientes com doença de Graves, divididos nos seguintes grupos: A1) 13 pacientes com recidiva do hipertiroidismo após tratamento com MMI; 2) após 131-Iodo (seis meses); B1) 15 pacientes sem tratamento; B2) seis a 12 meses com MMI (10 a 30 mg/dia). O grupo controle (C) foi de 16 indivíduos normais. Concentraçoes séricas de SIL-2R foram determinadas por ELISA. Valores de sIL-2R dos pacientes com tirotoxicose (grupos A1 e B1) foram significativamente maiores (mediana: 2.881,5 pg/mL e amplitude de variaçao: 210 a 11.151 pg/mL) que aqueles do grupo C (913 pg/ml; 462 a 1.533 pg/mL; p < 0,05). Observou-se diminuiçao nao significante de sIL-2R do grupo A1 após radio-iodo (1.785; 210 a 4.536 pg/ml vs. 1.281; 25 a 4.162 pg/mL). O sIL-2R no grupo B2 foi significativamente menor do que em B1 (1.050; 210 a 3.150 pg/ml vs. 3.276; 1.260 a 11.151 pg/mL; p < 0,05). Houve correlaçao positiva e significante entre sIL-2R e T4 (r = 0,371; p < 0,01; n = 48) e entre sIL-2R e T3 (r = 0,593; p < 0,001; n = 72). Concentraçoes de sIL- 2R maiores nos pacientes em hipertiroidismo antes da administraçao de MMI, quando comparadas com aquelas dos pacientes em hipertiroidismo antes da dose terapêutica de (131)Iodo, sugerem que o MMI poderia exercer efeito imunomodulador na doença de Graves. Nossos dados sugerem que a concentraçao sérica de sIL-2R pode ser um marcador da funçao tiroidiana, podendo refletir um efeito do MMI sobre o sistema imune.