可溶性gp130酶联检测试剂盒的研制及其运用

目的 :建立灵敏、特异、稳定和简便的人可溶性gp130 (sgp130 )酶标检测试剂盒。方法 :采用本室制备的鼠抗人gp130单抗T2作为包被单抗 ,另一株识别不同抗原位点的单抗T12经生物素 (biotin)标记后作为检测抗体 ,建立双单抗夹心的人sgp130酶标检测方法 ,并分别测定了 40例健康供血员、40例甲亢及 47例慢性肾炎患者血清中sgp130的含量。结果 :成功地研制了人sgp130酶联检测试剂盒 ,其灵敏度为 10ng/ml。该试剂盒 4℃放置 3个月 ,离散度 (CV) <± 7 6 %,回收率为95 %～ 111%,提示检测方法具有良好的灵敏度、稳定性和准确性。用该试剂盒测得的血清中sgp130含量的 95 %正常值范围为5 36 92～ 2 87 88(ng/ml) ,甲亢及慢性肾炎患者血清中sgp130的含量分别为 937 16± 2 17 5 9和 80 6 4 5± 138 4 7(ng/ml) ,明显高于正常对照者 (P <0 0 1)。结论 :建立的人sgp130酶标检测试剂盒 ,能够对血清中sgp130进行准确定量 ,可为临床gp130相关性疾病的辅助诊断、疗效估价和判断预后提供有价值的生物学参数 ,具有良好的运用前景。     

流式微球载体技术在检测肾综合征出血热患者血清特异性抗体和细胞因子中的应用

目的:建立流式微球载体技术(FMA)检测肾综合征出血热(HFRS)患者血清抗HFRS 病毒特异性抗体IgM和IgG及细胞因子含量的新方法.方法:选择28例临床确诊的HFRS患者及20例健康人血清标本,FMA定量检测抗HFRS 病毒IgM和IgG;定量检测细胞因子IL-6和TNF-α.检测结果与ELISA法进行比较.结果:FMA检测HFRS患者抗HFRS病毒IgM和IgG的阳性率分别为92.85%和71.43%,健康对照组的抗体阳性率(假阳性率)为0;HFRS患者血清IL-6和TNF-α的含量分别为(532.62±397.19) ng/L和(392.68±177.68) ng/L,明显高于健康对照组(38.77±20.32)ng/L (P<0.01)和(15.91±6.91) ng/L(P<0.01).ELISA法检测HFRS患者抗HFRS病毒IgM和IgG的阳性率分别为71.43% 和50.00%,健康对照组的抗体阳性率(假阳性率)为0;HFRS患者血清IL-6和TNF-α的含量分别为(256.46±102.51) ng/L和(45.63±5.32) ng/L,高于健康对照组(53.8±19.21) ng/L(P<0.01)和(5.81±3.58) ng/L(P<0.01).结论:建立了FMA法对HFRS患者的特异性抗体和IL-6和TNF-α的检测,其灵敏度明显优于ELISA法,为HFRS的临床诊断和病理机制研究提供了新的方法.     

血清可溶性白细胞介素6受体的检测及其临床意义

以夹心ELISA方法检测30名正常对照者,22份可抽提核抗原(ENA)抗体阳性血清及49名Grave病患者血清sIL-6R水平.结果表明;本方法的灵敏度为80pg/ml,批内及批间误差分别为7.5%和9.6%.正常对照组、Grave病缓解组、Grave病未缓解组及ENA抗体阳性组的血活sIL-6R浓度分别为185.55±53.0ng/ml、191.65±62.0ng/ml、241.67±69.0ng/ml和264.86±108.53ng/ml.经统计学处理Grave氏病未缓解组和ENA抗体阳性组sIL-6R水平明显高于正常对照组对,Grave病缓解组与上常对照组血清sIL-6R浓度无差异提示slL-6R检测在ENA抗体产生中的作用和Grave病监测病情中的价值.     

首发精神分裂症和首发抑郁症患者细胞因子的变化及意义

目的 探讨首发精神分裂症和首发抑郁症患者病理过程中细胞因子的变化及意义.方法 使用ELISA法对首发精神分裂症和首发抑郁症患者各30例同时测定治疗前后血浆白细胞介素-2、-6(IL-2、-6)和可溶性白细胞介素-2、-6受体(sIL-2R、-6R)浓度,以30名健康人为对照组.结果 治疗前2个患者组血浆IL-2、-6和sIL-2R、-6R均高于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01);精神分裂症组血浆sIL-2R高于抑郁症组(P<0.05),而IL-2、-6和SIL-6R低于抑郁症组(P<0.01).治疗后,精神分裂症组m浆IL-2和sIL-6R、抑郁症组血浆IL-2、sIL-6R、sIL-2R和IL-6均下降(P<0.01);精神分裂症组血浆IL-2和sIL-6R仍低于抑郁症组(P<0.05);精神分裂症组血浆sIL-2R和IL-6、抑郁症组血浆sIL-6R仍高于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01).结论 首发精神分裂症和首发抑郁症患者均处于免疫激活状态,细胞因子表达水平的差异可能是二者表现不同临床症状的免疫学基础.     

自身免疫病患者血液中穿通支原体分离培养及其血清IL-6与TNF-α的检测

目的:探讨自身免疫病AID患者血液中穿通支原体(Mpe)的分离检出以及Mpe感染患者血清中IL-6与TNF-α的浓度水平.方法:采用分离培养共计从44例AID患者血液标本, 16例ASO或RF阳性体检人员及28例正常对照相应标本中进行支原体分离检测, 对培养阳性菌株采用穿通及发酵支原体套式PCR予以证实, 并用RIA对相应血清进行IL-6及TNF-α浓度检测.结果:于17例(38.6%)AID患者血液中分离到Mpe, 2例(12.5%)ASO或RF阳性体检人员中分离到Mpe, 而正常对照组中则无1例阳性, 组间支原体检出率有统计学意义(P<0.01).支原体阳性AID组血液IL-6浓度(3.30±1.49) μg/L与支原体阴性AID组(2.43±0.95) μg/L及正常对照组(1.14±0.32) μg/L之间差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);支原体阳性AID组血液TNF-α浓度(293.3±179.9) ng/L与支原体阴性AID组(173.9±73.9) ng/L及正常对照组(108.8±33.8) ng/L组之间也有统计学意义(P<0.01).结论:Mpe感染与AID的发生密切相关, Mpe感染患者血清中IL-6与TNF-α较非感染对照人群明显升高.     

细胞因子及特异性抗体的检测在肾综合征出血热诊断中的意义

探讨检测血清细胞因子及肾综合征出血热(HFRS) 病毒特异性抗体IgM和IgG的含量在HFRS发病机制及诊断中的意义.选择24例HFRS患者及30例健康人血清标本,采用生物素-亲和素-酶免疫技术检测IL-2、IL-6和TNF-α,ELISA方法检测血清HFRS病毒特异性抗体IgM和IgG,并对其进行统计学分析. 结果显示, ELISA法检测HFRS患者抗HFRS病毒IgM和IgG的阳性率分别为75.00 % 和50.00 %,健康对照组的抗体阳性率为零;HFRS患者血清IL-2、IL-6、TNF-α的含量分别为10.88±2.31pg/mL、256.46±102.51pg/mL和45.63±5.32pg/mL,高于健康对照组0.59±0.24pg/mL(P＜0.01)、53.8±19.21 pg/mL(P＜0.01)和5.81±3.58 pg/mL(P＜0.01). 结论 :HFRS患者血清IL-2、IL-6和TNF-α及血清特异性抗体IgM和IgG的含量较健康人明显升高,检测这些指标对该病发病机理、诊断及预后评价有一定意义.     

阿尔茨海默病患者血清S100B蛋白和抗脑抗体浓度与认知功能关系

目的:分析阿尔茨海默病(AD)患者血清S100B、抗脑抗体(ABAb)浓度变化及其与认知功能、生活能力间的关系,探讨S100B、ABAb在AD发病机制中可能的作用。方法:研究共纳入符合美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第IV版(DSM-IV)AD诊断的患者32例(AD组),无认知障碍老年对照40例(对照组)。采用简易智能精神状态检查量表(MMSE)、日常生活能力量表(ADL)评估所有研究对象认知功能和生活能力,采用阿尔茨海默病评定量表认知分量表(ADAS-Cog)进一步评定AD患者的认知功能;应用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测血清S100B、ABAb浓度。结果:AD组血清S100B[(0.66±0.17)μg/L vs.(0.30±0.04)μg/L]、ABAb[(1.93±0.95)U/L vs.(1.31±0.25)U/L]浓度高于对照组(均P0.01);AD组血清S100B浓度与MMSE总分负相关(r=-0.66),与ADAS-Cog总分、ADL评分呈正相关(r=0.57,r=0.53)(均P0.005);血清ABAb浓度与MMSE总分呈负相关(r=-0.57),与ADAS-Cog总分、ADL评分呈正相关(r=0.52,r=0.34)(均P0.05);AD组血清S100B与ABAb浓度正相关(r=0.51,P0.005),在对照组中并未发现此相关关系(r=0.076,P0.05)。结论:AD患者血清S100B、ABAb水平与认知损伤程度相关,提示S100B、ABAb可能在AD发病机制中起一定作用。     

大骨节病患者血清促炎症细胞因子水平的检测

目的探讨前炎症细胞因子TNF、IL-1β和IL-6在大骨节病(KBD)发病机制中的作用。方法采集62例KBD患者和60例健康对照的血清标本,采用双抗体夹心ELISA法测定血清前炎症细胞因子TNF、IL-1β和IL-6的水平。结果KBD患者血清IL-1β和IL-6的水平分别为(238.4±698.5)ng/L和(164.4±661.4)ng/L,健康人分别为(74.5±130.0)ng/L和(52.2±154.6)ng/L,但它们之间差异均不显著(P>0.05)。然而,KBD患者血清TNF的水平[(109.2±145.3)ng/L]高于健康对照[(40.9±89.7)ng/L],差异非常显著(P<0.01)。患者血清TNF与IL-1β的水平及血清TNF与IL-6水平的相关性均不显著(r值分别为0.0387和0.2135,P>0.05)。血清IL-1β与IL-6的水平呈显著的正相关(r=0.3460,P<0.01)。结论血清前炎症细胞因子水平的升高,可能与大骨节病的发病有关。     

高压氧治疗创伤性脑损伤的临床疗效及对血清NGAL和泛素羧基末端水解酶L1表达的影响

目的评价高压氧辅助治疗创伤性脑损伤患者的临床疗效及对血清中性粒细胞明胶酶相关载脂蛋白(NGAL)和泛素羧基末端水解酶L1(UCH-L1)表达的影响。方法选择2018年4月至2019年4月入新疆医科大学第一附属医院诊断创伤性脑损伤患者68例,其中其中男性46例,女性22例;年龄23～69岁,平均年龄45.9岁;体质量(68.6±8.9) kg;格拉斯哥昏迷评分(GCS)3～11分,平均GCS为8.4分;发病时间为(6.8±2.5) h。随机分为对照组和观察组,每组34例。对照组常规外科手术和药物治疗,观察组联合高压氧辅助治疗,疗程为1个月。对比两组临床疗效,治疗前后血清氧化应激指标包括NGAL、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-9、脑氧摄取率(CERO2)和活性氧(ROS)水平,神经营养因子包括UCHL1、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)和S100-β水平。结果观察组总有效率显著高于对照组(94.1%vs 76.5%;P 0.05)。两组治疗后血清氧化应激指标NGAL、MMP-9和ROS水平较治疗前降低[观察组:(63.5±22.4) ng/mL vs (125.3±45.6) ng/mL;(68.5±21.2) ng/mL vs (168.8±55.6) ng/mL;(16.8±6.3) U/mL vs (27.4±7.9) U/mL。对照组:(88.9±23.5) ng/mL vs (123.8±44.9) ng/mL;(96.3±25.7) ng/mL vs (165.8±52.3) ng/mL;(21.2±6.6) U/mL vs (26.8±7.5) U/mL],CERO2增加[观察组:(39.6±12.2)%vs (30.3±9.2)%;对照组:(35.2±10.3)%vs (30.6±9.5)%],神经营养因子UCH-L1、NSE和S100-β水平较治疗前降低[观察组:(201.3±46.8) ng/mL vs (328.6±75.4) ng/mL;(167.8±35.8) ng/mL vs (267.9±65.3) ng/mL;(85.6±25.7) ng/mL vs (168.9±48.7) ng/mL。对照组:(256.4±53.2) ng/mL vs (326.5±65.8) ng/mL;(203.2±46.3) ng/mL vs (265.3±52.7) ng/mL;(112.3±35.6) ng/mL vs (165.9±45.3) ng/mL],且观察组较对照组改善更明显(P 0.01)。结论高压氧辅助治疗创伤性脑损伤患者有较好的安全性和有效性,可明显抑制中枢神经氧化应激和神经营养因子释放和表达。     

永久性心房颤动患者血清TXB2、6-K-PGF1α和PGE2改变的探讨

目的:探讨永久性心房颤动(PAF)患者血清血栓素B2(TXB2)、6-酮-前列腺素F1α(6-K-PGF1α)和前列腺素E2(PGE2)水平的变化及其临床意义.方法:采用放射免疫分析158例PAF患者和40例健康对照组的血清TXB2、6-K-PGF1α和PGE2水平,进行对照统计分析.结果:PAF组血清TXB2水平[(80.89±18.86)ng/L vs (51.38±7.66)ng/L]和 PGE2水平[(11.48±4.20)ng/L vs (7.15±1.26)ng/L]显著高于健康对照组( P<0.01;P<0.01),6-K-PGF1α水平[(49.81±7.53_ng/L vs (81.12±9.02)ng/L]显著低于健康对照组(P<0.01),三者之间均无显著相关性(P均＞0.05).NYHA心功能Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ级组PAF患者血清TXB2和PGE2水平依次升高,具有统计学意义(P均<0.01),6-K-PGF1α水平变化无统计学差异(P>0.05)(方差检验F TXB2=52.75,P<0.01;F 6-K-PGF1α=0.949,P>0.05;F PGE2=62.04;P<0.01).合并脑梗死组血清TXB2水平显著高于无合并组(P<0.01),但6-K-PGF1α和PGE2无统计学差异(P均>0.05).结论:PAF组血清TXB2和PGE2水平显著高于健康对照组,6-K-PGF1α水平显著低于健康对照组;心功能Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ级组PAF患者血清TXB2和PGE2水平依次升高,合并脑梗死组血清TXB2水平显著升高.     

Preeclampsia Status Controls Interleukin-6 and Soluble IL-6 Receptor Release from Neutrophils and Endothelial Cells: Relevance to Increased Inflammatory Responses

Increased neutrophil–endothelial binding and inflammatory responses are significant pathophysiological events in the maternal vascular system in preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder in human pregnancy. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and its soluble receptors (soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R) and soluble gp130 (sgp130)) are critical inflammatory mediators. During pregnancy, maternal IL-6 and sgp130 levels were increased, but sIL-6R levels were decreased, in women with preeclampsia compared to normotensive pregnant women. However, little is known about differences in IL-6, sIL-6R, and sgp130 production by neutrophils and endothelial cells between normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. To study this, we isolated neutrophils and cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Production of IL-6, sIL-6R, and sgp130 was measured. The role of placental factor(s)-mediated neutrophil production of IL-6, sIL-6R, and sgp130 was also determined by pretreating neutrophils with placental conditioned medium generated from placental villous cultures. We found that IL-6 and sgp130 were mainly produced by endothelial cells, while sIL-6R was mainly produced by neutrophils. Endothelial cells from preeclampsia produced significantly more IL-6 and sgp130, and neutrophils from preeclampsia produced significantly less sIL-6R than normal pregnancy cells. Interestingly, production of IL-6, sIL-6R, and sgp130 were time-dependently increased when neutrophils and endothelial cells were co-cultured. We also found that neutrophils from normal pregnancies produced more IL-6, but less sIL-6R, after being primed by preeclamptic-placental conditioned medium. These results demonstrated that neutrophils and endothelial cells have different capacities in producing IL-6, sIL-6R, and sgp130 between normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. These results also provide evidence that the placenta plays a role in inducing neutrophil activation in preeclampsia.     

Association of recombinant soluble IL-6-signal transducer, gp130, with a complex of IL 6 and soluble IL-6 receptor, and establishment of an ELISA for soluble gp130.

IL-6 mediates its pleiotropic functions through two membrane proteins, a ligand-binding molecule (IL-6 receptor, IL-6R) and a non-ligand-binding signal transducer (gp130). Starting with a previously isolated cDNA clone encoding human gp130, recombinant soluble gp130 (sgp130) lacking the transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions was expressed in COS7 cells or CHO cells. sgp130 could associate with a complex of IL-6 and soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R), also lacking transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions. This indicated that extracellular region of gp130 was responsible for the association with IL-6R which was occupied by IL-6. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the quantitation of sgp130 was established, which was based on the interaction of sgp130 with the complex of IL-6 and sIL-6R and could detect sgp130 as low as 1 ng/ml.     

Interleukin-6 and the soluble IL-6 receptor are decreased in cerebrospinal fluid of geriatric patients with major depression: no alteration of soluble gp130

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is hypothesized to play an important role in the interaction between immune mechanisms and the central nervous system. We investigated whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), the soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and the soluble form of the signal transducing and affinity converting receptor gp130 (sgp130) are altered in geriatric patients with major depression (MD). In 20 geriatric patients with MD and 20 age-matched healthy control subjects CSF concentrations of the three components of the sIL-6R complex were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). All patients except one were treated with psychotropic drugs. We found statistically significant decreased CSF concentrations of IL-6 (P<0.001) and of the sIL-6R (P<0.001) of patients with MD. Levels of sgp130 showed no statistically significant difference between patients and controls.     

Therapeutic targeting of interleukin-6 trans-signaling does not affect the outcome of experimental tuberculosis

Treatment of autoreactive inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis with anti-inflammatory drugs is associated with an increased rate of reactivation tuberculosis (TB). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a pivotal role in inflammation and protection against various infectious diseases. IL-6 signals by two mechanisms via the ubiquitous transmembrane protein gp130: 'classic' signaling using the membrane-bound IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), which is expressed mainly on hepatocytes and some leukocytes, and trans-signaling using soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R). Trans-signaling by the IL-6/sIL-6R complex is selectively inhibited by natural soluble gp130 (sgp130) and by sgp130 designer proteins. As specific blockade of IL-6 trans-signaling represents a promising approach for the therapy of inflammatory diseases, we evaluated the potential risk of interfering with this alternative pathway and analyzed the outcome of experimental TB after treatment with an IgG1-Fc fusion protein of soluble gp130 (sgp130Fc) and in sgp130Fc-overexpressing transgenic (sgp130Fc(tg)) mice. In contrast to treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibodies, administration of sgp130Fc did not interfere with protective immune responses after infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Moreover, Mtb-infected sgp130Fc(tg) mice were capable of controlling mycobacterial growth. Our finding that IL-6 trans-signaling plays no role for protective immune responses against Mtb supports the superior safety of therapeutic targeting of IL-6 trans-signaling compared to anti-TNF treatment.     

Soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R) in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with inflammatory and non inflammatory neurological diseases

IL-6 acts on target cells via the ligand-binding protein interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) and the affinity-converting and signal-transducing glycoprotein 130 (gp130). Soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R) has an agonistic role because the soluble complex (IL-6/sIL-6R) can activate cells that do not express IL-6R and an antagonistic role as it enhances the inhibitory activity of sgp130. Soluble forms of both receptors, sIL-6R and sgp130, regulate the action of IL-6. sIL-6R was measured by a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in paired sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 46 patients with inflammatory neurological diseases (IND), 45 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS), 13 patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PP-MS), 17 patients with other non inflammatory neurological diseases (NIND) and 13 mentally healthy individuals--healthy controls (HC). Patients with RR-MS had CSF sIL-6R levels comparable to those from patients with IND, but higher than patients with NIND and HC. A positive correlation between the CSF/serum albumin (QAlb) and CSF sIL-6R levels was observed in IND but not in RR-MS patients indicating that CSF sIL-6R levels in IND patients could be influenced by serum sIL-6R and blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability properties. RR-MS patients had higher values of [CSF/serum sIL-6R:CSF/serum albumin] (sIL-6R index) than IND patients suggesting that in multiple sclerosis (MS), the increase in CSF sIL-6R could be due to intrathecal synthesis of sIL-6R. The finding of increased CSF sIL-6R concentrations (>979 pg/ml) with sIL-6R index (>4.66), in correlation with positive oligoclonal bands in RR-MS patients, suggests that values of sIL-6R index > 4.66 indicate intrathecal increase of sIL-6R and might be used as an indicator of neuroimmunoregulatory and inflammatory processes in the central nervous system (CNS).     

Serum levels of interleukin-6 and its soluble receptors in patients with hepatitis C virus infection

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important cytokine in liver regeneration, and elevated levels of IL-6 have been demonstrated in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD). Many biological effects of IL-6 depend on naturally occurring soluble IL-6 receptors. In the present study we measured the concentrations of IL-6 and its soluble receptors in the sera of patients with CLD related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We studied 77 patients with varying degrees of HCV-related CLD. Serum levels of IL-6 and its soluble receptors (sIL-6R, sgp130) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum IL-6 and sIL-6R were elevated in patients with CLD compared with healthy subjects. Serum levels of sgp130 did not differ between patients with chronic hepatitis and healthy subjects. However, in patients with liver cirrhosis, sgp130 was significantly elevated and was positively correlated with total bilirubin and negatively correlated with cholinesterase and prothrombin time. Our study demonstrated that in patients with HCV-related CLD, serum IL-6 and its soluble receptor levels are correlated with both liver function impairment and the degree of liver fibrosis. These observations suggest that the balance of IL-6 and its soluble receptors may correspond to the state of liver damage in patients with CLD.     

Development of a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay for the binding of gp130 to the IL-6/IL-6R complex and its competitive inhibition

The proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 binds to the membrane bound or soluble IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and activates an intracellular signaling cascade after complex formation with two gp130 molecules. These mediate general homeostasis and orchestrates the immune response during disease. Trans-signalling via the soluble IL-6R has importance for the development and maintenance of human diseases like Crohn's disease, peritonitis and rheumatoid arthritis. We have developed an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) that detects the binding of gp130 to the IL-6/sIL-6R complex. Competitive binding of sgp130-Fc, viral IL-6, and the inhibitory drug Suramin to gp130 has been demonstrated. The assay can be used for high-throughput screening of peptide and chemical compound libraries for the identification of new agonists and antagonists of the binding between gp130 and IL-6/sIL-6R.     

IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptors (sIL-6R and sgp130) in human pleural effusions: massive IL-6 production independently of underlying diseases

IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and soluble gp130 (sgp130) levels were measured in sera and pleural effusions from 42 patients with metastatic carcinoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, tuberculosis, cardiac failure and miscellaneous diseases. Pleural IL-6 levels measured by ELISA were very high in all patient groups (mean 34.8 ± 15.3 ng/ml) without significant difference according to diseases. IL-6 was shown to be biologically active in a proliferative assay. Serum IL-6 levels were low (0.049 ± 0.014 ng/ml) and did not correlate with pleural fluid levels. Pleural IL-6 levels correlated with the number of polymorphonuclear cells in pleural fluid (P< 0.03). Pleural sIL-6R levels (76 ± 8 ng/ml) were always lower than serum levels (196 ± 12 ng/ml; P< 0.0001) but correlated with them (P< 0.01). Pleural sIL-6R and albumin levels correlated (P< 0.01), suggesting a transudation of sIL-6R from the serum. Pleural sgp130 levels (10.9 ± 1.0 ng/ml) were lower than serum levels (24.6 ± 2.8 ng/ml; P< 0.002). After gel filtration of pleural fluid, the bulk of IL-6 (>90%) was recovered in a 15 000–30 000 fraction, corresponding to the expected mol. wt of free IL-6. These results suggest a production and a sequestration of IL-6 in the pleural cavity in all studied conditions.     

A combination of interleukin-6 and its soluble receptor impairs sperm motility: implications in infertility associated with endometriosis

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that the level of interleukin (IL)-6 is increased in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) on in vitro sperm motility. METHODS: Sperm (n = 20) were cultured with IL-6 or sIL-6R, or with a combination of both. After 24 h cultures, sperm motility was evaluated using a computer-assisted semen analysis system. Gene and protein expressions of IL-6, IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), and glycoprotein 130 (gp130) were examined in sperm by RT-PCR analysis and western blot analysis. RESULTS: Addition of IL-6 or sIL-6R individually to the culture media had no affect on sperm motion. However, adding a combination of IL-6 and sIL-6R dose-dependently reduced the percentage of motile and rapidly moving sperm. Adding anti-IL-6R antibody abolished these adverse effects. Sperm expressed the gp130 gene and protein, but not IL-6 or IL-6R. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of IL-6 and sIL-6R may be associated with gp130 expressed in the sperm and reduce sperm motility. IL-6 and sIL-6R may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis-associated infertility.