Age-Dependent Levels of Select Immunological Mediators in Sera of Healthy Children

Serum cytokine levels were measured in 275 healthy children of different ages (3 to 17 years). Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), soluble IL-2R (sIL-2R) (sCD25), IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), soluble TNF receptor type II (sTNF-RII) (sCD120b), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) (sCD54), soluble E selectin (sE-selectin) (ELAM-1; sCD62E), sCD14, and neopterin were measured with commercial test kits. The mean levels of IL-1RA, sIL-2R, TNF-α, sICAM-1, sE-selectin, and sCD14 were higher than in healthy adults. In contrast, IFN-γ and IL-8 were hardly detectable in children and thereby significantly lower than in adults. In the case of TNF-α, sICAM-1, sE selectin, and sCD14, there was a high interindividual variability, apparently unrelated to disease. The profiles of some cytokines, i.e., IL-1RA, IL-6, and TNF-α, showed age-related increases that overlapped with known patterns of physical growth. Of note, sIL-2R and sE-selectin instead declined with time. Because of the remarkable age-dependent variability in healthy pediatric subjects, disease-related changes, as well as therapy-dependent alterations, should be considered with caution.     

Soluble CD26/CD30 levels in visceral leishmaniasis: markers of disease activity

Leishmania infantum is the causative agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL). If untreated the disease could be fatal; however, in some cases the infection can run a subclinical course. In subclinical infections a Th1-response predominates, while Th2-responses and/or probably Treg cells are related to unfavourable outcome of the disease in active VL. In the present study we determined the levels of soluble (s) CD26 and CD30 co-stimulatory molecules in sera from patients with active VL, asymptomatic individuals and healthy volunteers. Results showed a significant difference in both sCD26 and sCD30 between infected cases and normal individuals (P < or = 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in sCD26 levels between asymptomatic cases and patients, although the difference was not significant. sCD30 levels were significantly higher in VL patients than asymptomatic cases (P < or = 0.001). These findings suggest a possible association between sCD26 and sCD30 levels and the clinical manifestation of L. infantum infection.     

The study of immunological markers in patients with "intrinsic" type atopic dermatitis]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by several clinical, immunological and biochemical alterations. Comparing the patients with the 'extrinsic' and 'intrinsic' types of AD, we investigated the role of immunological mechanisms in the pathogenesis of AD. To confirm it, we calculated serum markers of T lymphocyte activation: soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The soluble CD14 (sCD14) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in serum were measured as monocyte/macrophage activation markers. We examined 29 patients with the 'extrinsic' type AD (serum IgE > 10000 IU/ml: High-AD), 23 patients with the 'intrinsic' type AD (serum IgE < 37 IU/ml: Low-AD) and 11 healthy controls. Serum sIL-2R levels were increased in High-AD and Low-AD compared with the controls. They were also significantly increased in High-AD compared with Low-AD. Serum sCD14 levels were increased in High-AD compared with Low-AD and the controls. Severity index of AD were correlated with serum sIL-2R levels but not with sCD14 levels in sera. In conclusion, IgE may not relate with the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Serum sIL-2R levels may be increased according to inflammatory skin lesions and it may be exaggerated with the immunological activation in the patients with the 'extrinsic' type AD.     

Serum levels of interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, soluble interleukin-6R and soluble cell activation markers for monitoring response to treatment of leprosy reactions

Identifying pathogen and host-related laboratory parameters are essential for the early diagnosis of leprosy reactions. The present study aimed to clarify the validity of measuring the profiles of serum cytokines [interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha], the soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), soluble T cell (sCD27) and macrophage (neopterin) activation markers and Mycobacterium leprae-specific anti-PGL-I IgM antibodies in relation to the leprosy spectrum and reactions. Serum samples from 131 Indonesian leprosy patients (82 non-reactional leprosy patients and 49 reactional) and 112 healthy controls (HC) from the same endemic region were investigated. Forty-four (89.8%) of the reactional patients had erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) while only five (10.2%) had reversal reaction (RR). Follow-up serum samples after corticosteroid treatment were also obtained from 17 of the patients with ENL and one with RR. A wide variability in cytokine levels was observed in the patient groups. However, IFN-gamma and sIL-6R were elevated significantly in ENL compared to non-ENL patients. Levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and sIL-6R declined significantly upon corticosteroid treatment of ENL. Thus, although the present study suggests limited applicability of serial measurement of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and sIL-6R in monitoring treatment efficacy of ENL, reactions it recommends a search for a wider panel of more disease-specific markers in future studies.     

Soluble CD30 in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease in which a pathogenetic role of Th2 cells has been supposed. This study investigated the presence of soluble CD30 (sCD30), an activation marker of T-cell clones able to produce Th2-type cytokines, in sera from pediatric patients affected by AD ( n =25) with no symptoms of asthma or rhinitis. The severity of the disease was graded by both the SCORAD and Costa et al. clinical scoring systems. Serum levels of sCD30 were significantly higher in patients with AD in respect to both normal donors ( n =20) and urticaria patients ( n = 10), and a positive correlation between serum sCD30 and clinical score was found ( r =0.508; P =0.01) when AD patients were evaluated by Costa et al.'s method. Furthermore, a significant association ( r -=0.443; P =0.027) between sCD30 and serum levels of the soluble interleukin (IL)-2 receptor (sIL-2R) was observed in AD. The presence of high amounts of sCD30 in atopic patients seems to confirm the role of this molecule as an activation marker useful for in vivo evaluation of a Th2 immune response, and the correlation observed with both clinical score and sIL-2R levels indicates the role of sCD30 as an additional marker of disease activity in pediatric patients with AD.     

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor and soluble CD8 in liver cirrhosis and obstructive jaundice.

Activated lymphocytes secrete soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R); CD8-positive lymphocytes secrete soluble CD8 (sCD8). Liver dysfunction in cirrhosis and obstructive jaundice is known to result in depressed cellular immunity. To evaluate whether this is due to real inactivation of the immune system, we measured sIL-2R and sCD8 in the serum of 46 patients with liver cirrhosis, 25 patients with obstructive jaundice, 32 patients with alcoholic liver disease without evidence of cirrhosis, 23 healthy persons and 43 patients with unrelated disease. sIL-2R in patients with cirrhosis (mean +/- s.e.m. 1499 +/- 140 U/ml) and obstructive jaundice (1517 +/- 204) was significantly increased compared with healthy subjects (363 +/- 29) and patients with unrelated diseases (685 +/- 92); sCD8 was significantly increased in patients with cirrhosis (737 +/- 63) but not in patients with obstructive jaundice (419 +/- 32) compared with healthy subjects (322 +/- 23) and patients with unrelated diseases (375 +/- 22). No difference was found between patients with cirrhosis due to alcohol abuse (n = 15) and chronic hepatitis B (n = 6). The Child-Pugh score had no significant influence on the sIL-2R or sCD8 value. In obstructive jaundice, sIL-2R correlated with alkaline phosphatase as marker of cholestasis (r = 0.43). These data show that in spite of the apparent depressed cellular immune defense both in liver cirrhosis and obstructive jaundice there is a general activation of the immune system but the CD8+ cell compartment is only activated in liver cirrhosis. The great changes of sIL-2R and sCD8 in liver dysfunction are important for the interpretation of studies using these serum proteins as markers for immune activation.     

Elevated levels of interleukin-2 receptor and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 in sera from a venezuelan cohort of patients with dengue

Summary This study evaluated the levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in patients with dengue. Sera from 17 patients with dengue fever (DF), 15 with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and 12 healthy individuals were obtained. Increased levels of sIL-2R and sICAM-1 were found in patients with DF and DHF when compared to normal; those were not correlated with leukocytes, hepatic serum enzyme levels or haemostatic parameters. Levels of sIL-2R were related to the different grades of DHF. These results suggest that increased levels of sIL-2R and sICAM-1 are a common feature of dengue. Correspondence: Nereida Valero, MgSc, Apartado Postal 23, Maracaibo 4001-A, Zulia, Venezuela     

Serum markers of T cell activation in relapses of Wegener's granulomatosis.

Levels of soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), soluble CD4 (sCD4) and CD8 (sCD8) were measured by sandwich ELISA as markers for T cell activation in serial serum samples from 16 patients showing 18 histologically proven relapses of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). Levels of sIL-2R increased from 1065 U/ml (median, range 373-2345 U/ml) 6 months before the relapse to 1684 U/ml (median, range 486-3404 U/ml) at the moment of relapse for the whole group (P = 0.10). The eight major relapses showed a profound rise in sIL-2R levels, from 1008 U/ml (median, range 686-1553 U/ml) 6 months before the relapse, to 1994 U/ml (median, range 1469-3404 U/ml) at the moment of relapse (P < 0.01). The levels of sIL-2R at the moment of relapse were significantly higher at the eight major relapses than at the time of the 10 minor relapses (P < 0.05). Minor relapses were not accompanied by a significant rise in sIL-2R levels. Titres of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) rose by two or more titresteps or from negative to positive in 15/18 patients during the 6 months period before the relapse. In all seven cases with both a rise of the ANCA titre and an at least 25% increase in sIL-2R levels, the rise in ANCA preceded the rise in sIL-2R by at least 1 month. The level of sIL-2R at the moment of relapse correlated with the level of C-reactive protein (r = 0.488, P < 0.05) and with the disease activity score (r = 0.824, P < 0.002). There were no significant changes in levels of sCD4 or sCD8, although the levels of sCD4 tended to be higher at the time of major relapses. We conclude that major relapses of Wegener's granulomatosis are accompanied by systemic T cell activation. T cell activation, however, does not appear to precede the rise in ANCA titre.     

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor is a thyroid hormone-dependent early-response marker in the treatment of thyrotoxicosis.

Thyrotoxic patients exhibit increased levels of immune activation molecules (soluble interleukin-2 receptor [sIL-2R], intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1], and endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 [ELAM-1]) in serum, although the clinical significance of these measurements remains unclear. In a randomized 4-week study, we have recently shown that in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, the combination of cholestyramine and methimazole (MMI) resulted in faster lowering of serum thyroid-hormone levels than did MMI alone. Stored serial serum samples from patients participating in this randomized treatment trial were analyzed for sIL-2R, soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), and soluble ELAM-1 (sELAM-1). The levels of all three molecules were elevated in patients with hyperthyroidism. Although the levels of sICAM-1 and sELAM-1 remained elevated through the 4-week follow-up period in both groups of patients, the sIL-2R levels (normal levels, 1.0 to 4.2 ng/ml) decreased significantly in the 10 patients who received cholestyramine in addition to MMI (week 0, 14.2 +/- 1.5 ng/ml; week 2, 10.8 +/- 1.2 ng/ml; week 4, 8.9 +/- 1.5 ng/ml). In eight patients who received MMI alone, sIL-2R decreased less rapidly (week 0, 12.3 +/- 1.4 ng/ml; week 2, 12.3 +/- 1.3 ng/ml; week 4, 10.9 +/- 1.3 ng/ml). sICAM-1 and sELAM-1 were elevated at baseline but did not decrease during therapy. In the former group, free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine decreased faster. These data show that levels of sIL-2R in serum, but not those of sICAM-1 and sELAM-1, may be of clinical use in the early follow-up evaluation of medically treated patients.     

Serum levels of sCD23 and sCD25 in children with asthma and in healthy controls*

To investigate whether markers of lymphocyte activation are useful markers of disease activity in childhood asthma, we studied serum levels of soluble CD25 (receptor for IL-2) and soluble CD23 (low-affinity receptor for IgE) in 178 children (aged 2-18 years) suffering from mild to moderate asthma (mean asthma severity score: 2, range: 1–4), and in 175 healthy age-matched controls. Levels of sCD23 and sCD25 were invesely related to age. sCD23 was lower in patients with asthma (means per age group: 4.93–2.29 ug/1; controls: 6.92–4.11 ug/1, P <0.05), while sCD25 tended to be higher (1601–597 kU/ml, controls: 1350–-661 kU/ml, P = NS). sCD25 correlated significantly with asthma severity score (r=0.41; P <0.01) and MEF₂₅ (maximum experatory flow at 25% of vital capacity, r= -O.43; P<0.05) in children <10 years, while sCD23 correlated with asthma severity (r=O.28; P <0.05) in children > 10 years. On follow-up, levels of sCD25 normalized with clinical improvement. In children with nonatopic asthma, levels of sCD25 were significantly higher than in atopic patients. Our observations provide further evidence of the role of T-cell activation in asthma. Monitoring of lymphocyte activation markers, particularly levels of sCD25, may be useful in the follow-up of asthmatic children.     

Increased levels of beta 2-microglobulin, soluble interleukin-2 receptor, and soluble CD8 in patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

We measured beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), and soluble CD8 (sCD8) antigen levels in paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sera from patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), multiple sclerosis (MS), and other neurological diseases (OND) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. beta 2-M was significantly increased in CSF of the SSPE group compared to the MS or the OND group. Similarly, beta 2-M in the MS versus OND group was significantly increased in CSF. Although serum levels of beta 2-M were similar in the three groups, the CSF/serum ratios were higher in SSPE versus the MS group and in the MS versus the OND group. Levels of sIL-2R and sCD8 were higher in SSPE CSF than OND CSF; however, there were no differences between levels in SSPE and MS CSF. The levels of sIL-2R were increased in SSPE sera compared to those of MS or the OND group, whereas levels of sCD8 in serum from the three groups were similar. The findings of increased CSF/serum ratio of beta 2-M and higher levels of serum sIL-2R and CSF sCD8 in SSPE patients are consistent with those seen in patients with acute and chronic viral infections. When the levels between the initial and follow-up CSF and serum samples from SSPE patients were compared, the data showed that CSF levels of sCD8 elevated during periods of clinical worsening and decreased during clinical improvement. In contrast, serum beta 2-M decreased during periods of worsening and increased during improvement. The measurement of serum beta 2-M and CSF sCD8 may be useful in SSPE patients as markers to monitor disease activity.     

Modifications of general parameters of immune activation in the sera of Sicilian patients with Boutonneuse fever

The serum levels of β₂-microglobulin (β₂-M), soluble HLA class I antigen (sHLA-I), soluble CD4 (sCD4) and CD8 (sCD8) were studied in 98 Sicilian patients with Boutonneuse fever (BF). In different stages of infection all markers were significantly increased in sera from Sicilian patients with acute BF compared with healthy controls. sCD8 and sHLA-I reached the peak in the second week after the onset of symptoms, whereas sCD4 and β₂-M reached the peak in the first week. Afterwards sCD8 decreased to the levels of controls within the third week, the other parameters decreased later and were unmodified until the third week of infection. Significant correlations were found between sCD4 and sCD8 and the sIL-2R, as well as between serum levels of β₂-M and sCD8. The reduction of CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ and the increase of CD8⁺ T cells in the blood indicate that these cells are involved in the response to rickettsia, and their activation might be in part responsible for the release of sCD4 and sCD8. Our data suggest that these soluble markers, indexes of immune activation of T cells both in the circulation and the affected tissues, may be used in monitoring BF evolution.     

Immune changes in HIV-1 infection: significant correlations and differences in serum markers and lymphoid phenotypic antigens.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1) induces extensive immune cell alterations which can be detected by changes both in serum levels of soluble immune activation products and in several lymphoid phenotypic markers. The current studies were conducted in 70 HIV-1 seropositive subjects to determine whether changes among four important serum immune activation markers (neopterin, beta-2 microglobulin, soluble CD8, and soluble IL-2 receptor) and seven lymphoid phenotypic markers (CD38, HLA-DR, CD57, CD11b, CD45RA, leu8, and CD71) reflect similar or disparate aspects of immune pathology. On the basis of correlation coefficient calculation, four groups of related markers (Fig. 1) were identified: Group A, sIL-2R was related to group B where serum neopterin, beta 2M, sCD8 levels, and lymphocyte CD38 antigen expression correlated closely. Loss of CD45RA or Leu 8 antigens in group C correlated with group B and D markers increase. HLA-D in group D was a more distantly related immune activation marker. Phenotypic markers CD57, CD11b, and CD71 did not correlate with the immune activation processes reflected by the serum and phenotypic marker groups A-D. Correlations between serum and certain lymphoid phenotypic markers were generally stronger later in HIV-1 infection when CD4 levels were less than 500/mm3. This study provides information for selecting markers for investigating immune changes in HIV-1 infection and immune-related diseases. Many serum and lymphoid phenotypic markers reflect related aspects of immune dysregulation. However, some markers can indicate different aspects of disease.     

Soluble endothelium-associated adhesion molecules in patients with Graves' disease.

The targeting and recruitment of inflammatory cells to vascular endothelium in Graves' disease (GD) is mediated by intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). We have studied serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), soluble ELAM-1 (sELAM-1), and soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) in patients with GD (n = 21) and in patients with iodine-deficient goitre (IDG) (n = 23). The serum levels of sICAM-1 were markedly elevated in patients with GD before treatment with thiamazole (median 560 ng/ml versus 185 ng/ml in patients with IDG). In addition, elevated serum concentrations of sELAM-1 (median 85 ng/ml versus 33 ng/ml, respectively) and sVCAM-1 (median 42 ng/ml versus 15 ng/ml, respectively) were observed in patients with GD (P < 0.01 for all). The serum levels of sELAM-1 and sVCAM-1 dropped significantly after initiation of therapy and were within the normal range after 4, and 8 weeks of therapy, respectively. Serum levels of sICAM-1 were elevated even after 8 weeks of therapy. Serum levels of sVACM-1 and sICAM-1 correlated with the serum concentrations of anti-thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-receptor antibodies (TSHR-R) (n = 21; r = 0.929 and r = 0.810, respectively) and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) (n = 21; r = 0.673 and r = 0.750, respectively). However, no correlation between sELAM-1 and TPO-Ab, TSHR-R, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab), respectively, could be found. In addition to thyroid hormones and autoantibodies, serum concentrations of sELAM-1 and sVCAM-1, but not sICAM-1, could be useful as clinical markers for disease activity.     

Elevated levels of soluble CD14 in serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A soluble form of CD14 (sCD14) was assessed with an ELISA assay in the serum of the following three clinical groups: 35 patients with an inactive phase of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 17 patients with SLE relapses, and 65 normal healthy volunteers. Increased levels of sCD14 were observed in all patients suffering from SLE compared with normal controls. In addition, patients with active SLE revealed higher serum concentrations of sCD14 (median 6.9 mg/l) than patients under remission (4.1 mg/l; P < 0.0001). Serum values of sCD14 correlated neither with the number of peripheral blood monocytes bearing the CD14 membrane antigen, nor with serum concentrations of IL-1 beta. Serum sCD14 was compared with other clinical parameters used to monitor the clinical course of patients with SLE, among them complement C3, anti-dsDNA antibodies and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R). A good correlation emerged between sCD14 and C3 as well as sIL-2R concentrations, but sCD14 and anti-dsDNA titres disclosed no significant correlation in both groups of patients with SLE. Serial studies in patients with severe SLE showed that serum sCD14 closely parallels the clinical course as defined by an activity score. Our data suggest that serum sCD14 represents a promising parameter to monitor disease activity in patients with SLE.     

Immune-inflammatory markers in patients with seasonal affective disorder: effects of light therapy

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that an activation of the immune-inflammatory system is involved in the pathophysiology of depressive disorders. The purposes of this study were to (1) compare immune-inflammatory markers in patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) with those in matched normal controls; and (2) examine the effects of light therapy on the immune-inflammatory markers in patients with SAD. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were measured in 15 patients with SAD and 15 age- and sex-matched normal controls. Of the 15 patients, 14 had repeated blood sampling for these variables following 2 weeks of light therapy. RESULTS: We found that patients with SAD had significantly increased IL-6 levels compared to normal controls (P<0.0005). There was a trend toward increased sIL-2R in patients with SAD (P=0.09). There was no significant difference in sIL-6R level between the two diagnostic groups (P=0.18), but the product term (IL-6xsIL-6R) was significantly higher in patients with SAD than that in normal control controls (P<0.0003). Furthermore, all 14 patients who completed the study improved with 2 weeks of light therapy and nine of them (64%) had 50% reduction in score of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-SAD version post-treatment compared to baseline. However, the initially increased immune markers in SAD patients were not significantly altered by the therapeutic light therapy. LIMITATIONS:This study was limited to a small sample size and other immune inflammatory markers should be measured for further evidence of immune activation in seasonal depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results of increased IL-6, IL-6xsIL-6R, and sIL-2R in patients with SAD suggest an activation of the immune-inflammatory system in winter depression, which is not altered by 2 weeks of successful light therapy.     

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor and soluble CD8 antigen in active rheumatoid arthritis

Concentrations of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and of soluble CD8 antigen (sCD8) in sera and in supernatants of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) derived from patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied. sIL-2R concentrations in sera derived from patients with RA (1484 +/- 382 U/ml) were significantly higher than in sera derived from healthy controls (380 +/- 110 U/ml; P less than 0.0005). In contrast, supernatants of PHA-stimulated PBMC derived from patients with RA contained similar amounts of sIL-2R (727 +/- 467 U/ml) as those derived from healthy control individuals (833 +/- 508 U/ml; P greater than 0.1). When investigated for the presence of sCD8 antigen, sera derived from patients with RA contained significantly lower amounts (30 +/- 28 U/ml) than sera derived from healthy controls (405 +/- 136 U/ml; P less than 0.0005). Similarly, PHA stimulation of PBMC derived from patients with RA resulted in a significantly lower production of sCD8 (35 +/- 46 U/ml) as compared to the one obtained by PHA stimulation of PBMC derived from healthy controls (177 +/- 59 U/ml; P less than 0.0005). This difference could not be explained by a lower proliferative response to PHA by PBMC derived from patients with RA (21,474 +/- 14,022 cpm) as compared to healthy controls (29,549 +/- 11,188 cpm; P greater than 0.05). Our data demonstrate that PBMC derived from patients with active RA differ from PBMC derived from healthy individuals concerning their ability to produce sIL-2R and sCD8.     

Levels of soluble ICAM-1 in atopic dermatitis A new marker for monitoring the clinical activity?

Levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were measured in sera from patients with an acute exacerbation of their atopic dermatitis (AD) ( n = 16) on admission to and discharge from our department of dermatology. At admission, the sICAM-1 levels in sera from patients with AD were slightly higher than those of the blood donors ( n = 100) and dropped at discharge significantly ( P = 0.014) after improvement of the skin conditions. Therefore, sICAM-1 may be, together with soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), and CD14, another marker for monitoring AD.     

Patterns of Cytokines and Soluble Cellular Receptors in the Sera of Children with Acute Chagas' Disease

Cytokines and soluble cellular receptors are involved in inflammatory processes and probably in the pathogenesis of parasite and bacterial diseases. In a previous study, we reported increased levels of soluble receptors of interleukin-2 (sIL2-R) in children with acute Chagas' disease, one of the main parasitic infections that is endemic in Latin America. We sought to analyze the pattern of different cytokines and soluble receptors in the sera of children with chagasic infection. Children with acute and indeterminate stages of Chagas' disease, as well as nonchagasic children, were studied. Sera were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-2, IL-8, IL-12, sIL-2R, and the soluble receptors of CD8 and CD4 (sCD8 and sCD4). sIL-2R and sCD8 showed the highest levels in serum in acutely infected children, decreasing after specific antiparasite therapy. Chronic children showed a pattern similar to the one of nonchagasic children. Although they were not statistically significant, TNF-α, IL-6, and sCD4 showed a tendency to reach high levels in the acutely infected group, whereas IL-2, IL-8, and IL-12 did not reveal changes with respect to the noninfected children. In summary, we report here the patterns of cytokines and soluble receptors in in the sera of children infected with Trypanosoma cruzi; we found significantly increased levels of sIL-2R and sCD8 in acute infection that decreased after therapy, and high levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and sCD4 in some of the acute patients. The measurement of sIL-2R and sCD8 may provide a useful tool in the follow-up of children with Chagas' disease.     

sICAM-1, sCD95 and sCD95L levels in chronic liver diseases of different etiology

The release of soluble circulating molecules represents a prominent feature during the course of immune-mediated clinical conditions. To further assess the relationship between serum concentrations of adhesion or apoptotic-related soluble structures and liver diseases, we evaluated the levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), Fas receptor (CD95) and Fas ligand (sCD95L) in a group of patients affected by Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)induced chronic hepatitis (CH-C), HCV-positive liver cirrhosis with superimposed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). Results show that sICAM-1 values were in all instances significantly elevated when compared to those seen in healthy donors. Similar findings were noted in subjects with liver diseases in terms of sCD95 concentrations, even if to a different degree of statistical significance. Finally, sCD95L amounts were augmented in AIH, PBC, ALC and CH-C in comparison to controls, while in the HCC counterpart sCD95L levels fell within normal range.

All together, these findings emphasize the occurrence of circulating soluble molecules in patients with various chronic liver diseases, likely reflecting the involvement of several pathogenetic mechanisms.