Cytokine expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells during graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 白血病·淋巴瘤

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the relationship between cytokines and human graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods In 21 patients undergoing allo-HSCT,the plasma concentrations of cytokines[soluble interleukin 2 receptor(sIL-2R), interferon-gama (IFN-γ), transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-β1)] were measured by using sandwich enzyme-linked immunological assay (ELISA) and the gene expressions of three cytokines were analysed by using semi-quantitate reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results The concentrations and gene expressions of sIL-2R and IFN-γin the patients with GVHD were significantly higher than those without GVHD (P <0.01), and they were higher in the patients with aGVHD than with cGVHD and without GVHD(P <0.05); the levels of TGF-β1 in the patients with GVHD were significantly declined(P <0.01), but in those without aGVHD were obviously increased(P <0.05). After effective treatment, unnormal sIL-2R, IFN-γand TGF-β1 expressions recovered to the levels before transplantation. A multivariate COX analysis showed sIL-2R and TGF-β1 are independent prognostic factors for GVHD (P<0.001). Conclusion Monitoring the changes of sIL-2R, IFN-γand TGF-β1 expression levels (especially sIL-2R and TGF-β1) might provide predictive markers for GVHD after allo-HSCT. The sensitivity between RT-PCR and ELISA for detecting cytokines expressions had no difference.