The Importance of Specific IgG and IgE Autoantibodies to Retinal S Antigen, Total Serum IgE, and sCD23 Levels in Autoimmune and Infectious Uveitis

Autoimmunity plays an important role in the development of uveitis. The uveitis are linked to Th1 or Th2 lymphocyte activation. We studied 41 patients with uveitis, divided into autoimmune uveitis (n = 32) and infectious uveitis (n = 9), 30 normal controls, and 20 asthmatic atopic without ocular diseases. The infectious uveitis patients were separated into bacterial (n = 6) and toxoplasmic (n = 3) retinochoroiditis. We measured IgE and sCD23 serum levels and specific IgG and IgE to retinal S antigen by ELISA tests. The IgE levels were 500 ± 325 kU/L in autoimmune uveitis, 57 ± 35 kU/L in bacterial uveitis, 280 ± 38 kU/L in toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, 75 ± 32 kU/L in the controls, and 557 ± 243 kU/L in atopics (P < 0.0005). The sCD23 levels were 10.4 ± 5.4 ng/ml in autoimmune uveitis, 3.7 ± 1.17 ng/ml in bacterial uveitis, 6.76 ± 1.36 ng/ml in toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, 3.4 ± 1 ng/ml in controls, and 8.35 ± 2.2 ng/ml in atopic patients (P < 0.005). The specific IgG to retinal S antigen was positive in 27 of 32 cases, and the specific IgE to retinal S antigen was positive in 22 of 32 autoimmune uveitis. The bacterial uveitis patients as well as the controls were negative for both autoantibodies to retinal S antigen. The toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis patients presented specific IgG and IgE to retinal S antigen in two of three cases, respectively, one of them with overlap of both antibodies. These results suggest the importance of specific IgG and IgE to retinal S antigen in autoimmune uveitis, which, along with higher IgE and sCD23 levels, reveal Th2 activation.     

Soluble CD23 (sCD23) serum levels and lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood in rhinitis and extrinsic and intrinsic asthma

To determine serum levels of IgE and sCD23 and lymphocyte subpopulations, we studied 37 control subjects and 84 patients (27 with allergic rhinitis, 27 with extrinsic asthma, and 30 with intrinsic asthma). A rise in surface CD23 on B and monocyte cells and sCD23 serum levels was exhibited by patients with rhinitis and extrinsic asthma. Unexpectedly, in intrinsic asthmatic patients, high CD23 expression on monocytes and high sCD23 levels were seen that did not result in IgE production. It appears that CD23, in its soluble form, could be a good disease marker, especially in asthma. Atopic patients yielded a significantly lower proportion of CD4⁺ T cells than intrinsic asthmatic patients and normal persons. Otherwise, CD4⁺ CD29⁺ CD45RA - and CD4⁺ CD29 – CD45RA ⁺ T-cell subsets were significantly decreased in all patient groups.     

支气管哮喘患儿血清sCD86、1L-25、NGF、CyPA水平的变化及临床意义

目的：探讨四项血清标志物水平的变化与患儿支气管哮喘发生、发展的关系。方法：本文依据80例哮喘患儿的不同病期分为两组：即急性发作组（n=40）和缓解组（n=40）,另以42名健康儿童作为对照组进行分析。血清可溶性CD86（soluble CD86,sCD86）、白细胞介素-25（interleukin-25）、神经生长因子（nervegrowthfactor,NGF）和亲环素A（cyclophilinA,CyPA）测定均采用酶联免疫（ELISA）分析。结果：本文结果显示,患儿哮喘急性发作期血清sCD86、IL-25、NGF和cyPA水平均显著地高于正常对照组（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）;缓解组水平则显示sCD86、IL-25和cyPA与正常对照组比较略高,但无统计学差异（P均〉0．05）;仅NGF水平显著高于正常对照组（P〈0．05）。缓解组与急性发作期比较四项血清指标水平均显著较低（P均〈0．05）。结论：本文四项指标的变化与儿童支气管哮喘的发作关系密切,对于患儿病情的判断有一定价值。     

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.     

Higher immunoglobulin E antibody levels to recombinant Fel d 1 in cat-allergic children with asthma compared with rhinoconjunctivitis

Background Current diagnosis of allergy and asthma to cat is confirmed using cat dander extract (CDE). We have previously engineered a recombinant major cat allergen, rFel d 1, with properties identical to the natural molecule.
Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate IgE and IgG4 antibodies to rFel d 1 among sera from cat-allergic children and adults suffering from asthma and/or rhinoconjunctivitis (RC) in populations from Sweden and Austria.
Methods Cat-allergic children and adults from Sweden ( n =27 and 31, respectively) and Austria ( n =41 and 41) with RC and/or asthma were selected. Sera were tested for IgE and IgG4 antibodies to CDE and rFel d 1 by CAP, and IgE to rFel d 1 by ELISA. Healthy subjects and non-cat-allergic patients ( n =75) were included as controls.
Results There was a high correlation between IgE responses to rFel d 1 and CDE among the 140 patients ( r _s=0.85, P <0.001); however, measured levels to rFel d 1 were on average 30% higher ( P <0.0001). Ninety-eight percent of patients and none of the controls showed IgE to rFel d 1 and there was a threefold increased risk of asthma for half of the children with the highest IgE levels [odds ratio 3.23; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19–8.79] by ELISA. IgE responses to rFel d 1 among children with asthma were higher (median 19.4 kU/L) compared with children with RC (median 6.6 kU/L, P <0.05) and adults with asthma (median 3.0 kU/L, P <0.01). Furthermore, children with asthma displayed higher IgG4 levels than the asthmatic adults.
Conclusion A single recombinant molecule, rFel d 1, is at least as sensitive for in vitro diagnostics of cat allergy as the current extract-based test. Elevated IgE antibody levels to Fel d 1 are suggested to be a risk factor for asthma in cat-allergic children.     

Characteristics and clinical significance of plasma IL-18, sCD14, and sCD163 levels in patients with HIV-1 infection

Biomarkers of monocyte-macrophages activation and inflammation in plasma such as interleukin-18 (IL-18), soluble leukocyte differentiation antigen 14 (sCD14), and sCD163 are associated with disease severity and prognosis in HIV-1 infected patients, however, their relationships with efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (ART) need further investigation. We aimed to characterize and explore the clinical significance of plasma IL-18, sCD14, and sCD163 in this population. This was a retrospective cohort study consisting of HIV-1 infected patients enrolled in a randomized, controlled, open-label, noninferiority trial (ALTERLL study), with follow-up time points including initiation of ART (baseline), 12-, 24- and 48-weeks of treatment. Plasma levels of IL-18, sCD14, and sCD163 were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Viral suppression was defined as HIV-1 RNA < 20 copies/ml. Among the 193 studied patients (median age of 29.0 years, 180 males), IL-18 and sCD163 had U-shaped regression curves and sCD14 had an inverted U-shaped regression curve while the virus was decreased and immune function recovered. Patients with higher levels of IL-18 or lower levels of sCD163 at baseline were less likely to achieve viral suppression at Week 12 or Week 24 of treatment, respectively. In multivariate analysis, baseline sCD163 ≤ 500 pg/ml (adjusted odds ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.16–0.68) was independently associated with a lower rate of viral suppression at Week 24 of treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrated different dynamic changes among IL-18, sCD14, and sCD163 after ART. Baseline sCD163 level could be a potential predictor of early virological response to ART. Further validation and mechanistic research are needed.     

Eosinophilia, interleukin-5, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in asthmatic children

BACKGROUND: There are few paediatric studies of the interrelationships between inflammatory markers and asthma severity. We therefore assessed the relationships between eosinophil-associated markers, cytokines, and asthma severity in asthmatic children aged 8-12 years. METHODS: Forty-five children were tested twice, 2 weeks apart. Asthma severity was measured in terms of symptoms, lung function, medication needs, and histamine responsiveness. Peripheral inflammatory markers measured included eosinophil numbers, serum ECP, IL-5, and TNF-alpha and mononuclear cell IL-5, and TNF-alpha production. RESULTS: Histamine responsiveness was correlated with circulating eosinophils (r = 0.56, P = 0.0001) and serum ECP (r = 0.54, P = 0.003). Eosinophilia was increased in children with severe as opposed to mild airway hyperresponsiveness (P = 0.02) and those who lost days at school as opposed to those who did not (P = 0.01). There were no other associations between markers of asthma severity and inflammation. Children taking inhaled corticosteroids had lower serum IL-5 levels than those on beta-agonists +/- cromolyn (mean and 95% CI: 20.5 [11.7-35.7] pg/ml vs 64.3 [26.6-155.4] pg/ml; P = 0.04). Cellular IL-5 production correlated with serum TNF-alpha (r = 0.63, P = 0.0062) and IL-5 (r = -0.59, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-5 were not related to peripheral eosinophilia and asthma severity in these children but were related to their own cellular production ex vivo. This study confirms that eosinophilia is the index of inflammation that is most closely related to the clinical severity of childhood asthma.     

sCD23在SLE患者血清中的检测

目的了解ｓＣＤ２３及ＣＤ２３在系统性红斑狼疮（ＳＬＥ）发病中的变化及意义。方法采用双抗体夹心ＥＬＩＳＡ法、ＳＰ及ＡＰＡＡＰ免疫组化法检测ＳＬＥ患者血清ｓＣＤ２３水平、皮损及外周血单个核细胞（ＰＢＭＣ）ＣＤ２３表达,对ｓＣＤ２３及ＣＤ２３同ＡＮＡ、抗ｄｓＤＮＡ抗体关系进行了比较。结果①病人组血清ｓＣＤ２３水平〔（４．１０±３．１６）ｎｇ／ｍｌ〕与正常对照组〔（１．４８±０．４１）ｎｇ／ｍｌ〕比较显著增高（Ｐ＜０．００５）,活动期水平明显高于静止期;②血清ｓＣＤ２３与ＡＮＡ滴度、抗ｄｓＤＮＡ抗体等具有明显的平行关系;③皮损表皮少数（３／９）弱表达ＣＤ２３,ＰＢＭＣ则明显表达ＣＤ２３。结论ＣＤ２３及ｓＣＤ２３在ＳＬＥ发病中有一定的意义,其主要作用可能与抗原处理和递呈以及促进Ｂ淋巴细胞分化、增殖产生自身抗体有关,而且ｓＣＤ２３是监测ＳＬＥ疾病活动程度一个很好的指标     

老年社区获得性肺炎并脓毒症患者sCD14和CD14+/HLA-DR表达及意义

目的 探讨老年社区获得性肺炎（CAP）并脓毒症患者血清sCD14和外周血单核细胞CD14+/HLA-DR表达水平及临床意义。方法 选取2015年1月~2018年12月我院呼吸内科及ICU收治的老年CAP患者126例,根据是否并发脓毒症将老年CAP患者分为脓毒症组56例,非脓毒症组70例,另选择老年健康体检者45例为对照组,脓毒症组根据是否存活分为死亡组30例及存活组26例。采用ELISA法和流式细胞术检测并比较各组血清sCD14及外周血单核细胞CD14+/HLA-DR+表达水平,脓毒症组及非脓毒症组48 h CURB-65评分、28 d死亡率。结果 脓毒症组血清sCD14水平高于非脓毒症组和对照组,而CD14+/HLA-DR+表达水平则低于非脓毒症组和对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。死亡组血清sCD14水平高于存活组,CD14+/HLA-DR表达水平低于死亡组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;相关分析显示,血清sCD14水平与CURB-65评分和28 d死亡率呈正相关（r=0.750、0.712,P＜0.05）,而与CD14+/HLA-DR呈负相关（r=-0.692,P＜0.05）,CD14+/HLA-DR与CURB-65评分和28 d死亡率呈负相关（r=-0.653、-0.721,P＜0.05）。结论 老年社区获得性肺炎并脓毒症患者存在免疫失衡,血清sCD14和CD14+/HLA-DR表达水平与CURB-65评分和28 d死亡率密切相关,可作为早期预测感染性疾病病情严重程度和预后的免疫学指标。     

Serum CD23 is not altered in gastroallergic anisakiasis, but correlates with the production of specific IgE and the amount of polyclonal stimulation

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown elevated serum levels of the cytokines IL-4 and sCD23 in atopic patients and parasitic disease. Gastroallergic anisakiasis is an acute parasitic disease, accompanied by IgE-mediated clinical symptoms and an important increase of specific and total IgE. METHODS: Sixteen patients with acute urticaria/angioedema due to parasitism by Anisakis simplex after intake of raw or undercooked fish were selected, and serum samples were taken in the emergency room within 24 h (day 0; n=16), after 1 month (n=16), and after 6 months (n=10). Serum samples were studied for specific IgE against A. simplex, total IgE, sCD23, and IL-4. RESULTS: Mean values for sCD23 did not change in the observation period. Only 4/16 serum samples showed measurable IL-4 levels. Specific IgE and total IgE levels were found to be elevated after 1 month; after 6 months, they fell to nearly basal values. There was a positive correlation between sCD23 and specific IgE at day 0 and follow-up (r=0.55-0.69, P<0.026); a positive correlation between sCD23 and total IgE (r=0.54-0.62, P<0.056). Basal sCD23 could moderately predict the percentual increment of total IgE in the first month (r=0.56, P<0.038). CONCLUSION: Thus, it seems that interindividual variability of sCD23 is an important factor, with higher values predisposing to more production of unrelated IgE, independently of the parasite's action.     

Expression of serum sCD163 in patients with liver diseases and inflammatory disorders

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic values of soluble cluster of differentiation 163 (sCD163) in patients with liver failure or various inflammations. Methods: Serum samples were collected from patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University from October 2013 to January 2015 for treatment of with liver diseases, including liver failure (n=38), hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced liver cancer (HBsAg positive) (n=40), HBV-induced hepatic cirrhosis (HBsAg positive) (n=40), chronic hepatitis B (n=38), HBV carrier (n=40), fatty liver patients without HBV infection (n=40), chronic glomerulonephritis (n=38), community acquired pneumonia (n=38) and acute pancreatitis (n=38). The CD163/sCD163 was determined using commercial ELISA kits according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results: Significant decrease was noticed in the sCD163 in patients with fatty liver and HBV carrier compared with that of patients with chronic hepatitis B (P < 0.05). Compared with the healthy controls, the level of sCD163 was remarkably increased in the other groups (P < 0.05). The serum sCD163 in patients with HBV-induced liver cancer showed statistical difference compared with those of the patients with fatty liver, HBV carrier, as well as those with liver failure (P < 0.05). The expression of sCD163 was remarkably elevated in patients with liver failure compared with the patients with liver cancer, HBV-induced hepatic cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B, fatty liver, or HBV carrier (P < 0.05). No significant difference was noticed in the sCD163 in patients with chronic hepatitis B, community acquired pneumonia, chronic glomerulonephritis, and acute pancreatitis (P > 0.05). Conclusions: sCD163 is a sensitive marker protein for liver failure. The elevation of sCD163 was closely related to the progression of the liver failure. No statistical difference was noticed in the sCD163 in patients with inflammatory disorders, indicating sCD163 showed no organ specificity.     

急性冠脉综合征患者血浆炎性标志物及血脂水平分析

目的:检测分析急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者血浆sCD40L、高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)和血脂水平及临床意义。方法:检测68例ACS患者,28例稳定性心绞痛(SA)患者及33例对照组血浆sCD40L、hs-CRP水平,分析比较各组炎性标志物的水平及与血脂的相关性。结果:ACS组血浆sCD40L、hs-CRP与SA组及对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(均P<0.01);急性心肌梗死(AMI)组血浆sCD40L、hs-CRP显著高于不稳定性心绞痛(UA)组、SA组及对照组(均P<0.01),UA组血浆sCD40L、hs-CRP水平显著高于SA组及对照组(均P<0.01);而血浆sCD40L、hs-CRP在SA组及对照组比较,差异没有统计学意义(P>0.05);血浆sCD40L与hs-CRP呈正相关(r=0.452,P<0.01);hs-CRP与HDL-C呈负相关(r=-0.263,P<0.05);sCD40L与HDL-C呈负相关(r=-0.234,P<0.05),与TG呈正相关(r=0.254,P<0.05)。结论:血浆sCD40L、hs-CRP与ACS及血脂有一定关系,对判断ACS病情严重程度有重要意义。     

Circulating cytokine balance and activation markers of leucocytes in Q fever

As Q fever is associated with an inflammatory syndrome, we determined circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines, cytokine antagonists, and activation markers of leucocytes in patients with acute Q fever and Q fever endocarditis. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-6, but not IL-1β, were markedly increased compared with controls. Cytokine antagonists and activation markers of leucocytes were profoundly different in acute and chronic Q fever. IL-1 receptor antagonist and TNF receptor type II were significantly increased in patients with acute Q fever, suggesting a shift of cytokine balance towards cytokine antagonists. The activation marker of B cells, sCD23, was significantly increased in Q fever endocarditis compared with controls and patients with acute Q fever. In a 2-year follow-up study of patients with Q fever endocarditis, sCD23 and specific IgG levels slowly decreased in patients whose symptoms resolved, but remained high in those who required prolonged treatment.     

Analysis of IgE-binding factors (sCD23) within newborn sera.

Factors are discussed as potential diagnostic parameters of atopic disorders. The amounts of sCD23 in sera from newborn children (n = 4,329) were determined by radioimmunoassay with monoclonal antibodies specific for CD23. The sCD23 levels ranged between 0 and 81.5 ng/ml of CD23-specific mAb. Furthermore, the sera of newborns with more than 5 ng/ml (n = 45) were analyzed by SDS/PAGE and subsequent autoradiography using 125I-labeled IgE (PS). These experiments indicate that newborn sera with normal sCD23 amounts contain an IgE-binding activity with a molecular weight of 25 kD; this component was not observed within sera containing elevated amounts (> 5 ng/ml). In addition, a 60-kD IgE-binding component was detected within most of all newborn sera (76.4%). The data show that the IgE-binding pattern of newborn children and the pattern of adult donors are different. Our data suggest that the measurement of quantitative sCD23 amounts combined with the analysis of the molecular weight pattern of the IgE-binding factors might be a helpful diagnostic parameter with regard to IgE-associated diseases.     

The Development of AIDS-Associated Burkitt's/Small Noncleaved Cell Lymphoma Is Preceded by Elevated Serum Levels of Interleukin 6

B cell hyperactivation accompanies HIV infection and is believed to contribute to the increased incidence of B cell lymphoma in persons with AIDS. To examine B cell activation which precedes the development of AIDS-associated lymphoma, we measured levels of two B cell stimulatory molecules, soluble CD23 (sCD23) and interleukin 6 (IL6), in the serum of HIV-infected individuals prior to the diagnosis of lymphoma. Serum sCD23 was elevated in those subjects who developed lymphoma, compared to AIDS, HIV+, and HIV- controls (P = 0.001). Serum IL6 was significantly elevated in subjects who developed Burkitt's/small noncleaved cell lymphoma (BL/SNC, P = 0.01), but not in those subjects who developed large cell, immunoblastic, or central nervous system lymphomas, compared to CD4-matched AIDS controls who did not have lymphoma. These results suggest that lymphomagenesis of the BL/SNC subtype of AIDS lymphoma reflects B cell hyperactivation of a different nature from that which precedes other subtypes of AIDS-associated B cell lymphoma.     

Extraordinarily high serum IgE levels and consequences for atopic phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: IgE plays a central role in allergic diseases. Recent studies have postulated an association between serum IgE levels and bronchial asthma. OBJECTIVE: To examine the differences of atopic phenotypes in a group of individuals with extraordinarily high serum IgE levels (>10,000 kU/L) compared with children with moderately elevated IgE levels (400-1,000 kU/L). METHODS: We investigated 20 children with serum IgE levels greater than 10,000 kU/L and compared them with 56 age-matched children with serum IgE levels of 400 to 1,000 kU/L regarding prevalences of atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, allergic sensitization, and history of anaphylaxis. RESULTS: The mean eczema severity score as determined by the Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis Index was 56 vs 18 (P < 0.003), and anaphylactic reactions were reported in 20% of the group with very high serum IgE levels vs 7% in the group with moderate levels (P < 0.02). Sensitization to both aeroallergens and food allergens was detected in 80% of the group with very high serum IgE levels vs 32% of the group with moderate levels (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that children with very high serum IgE levels are at risk for anaphylactic reactions and more severe atopic dermatitis.     

Expression of sCD23 in atopic and nonatopic blood donors: correlation with age, total serum IgE, and allergic symptoms

Although structure, biologic activities, and expression of the low-affinity IgE receptor (Fc_eRII, CD23) have been investigated, the diagnostic value for allergies of this molecule and its soluble circulating fragment (sCD23) remains unclear. Therefore, serum sCD23 levels were measured in 203 blood donors. They were divided into atopic and nonatopic subjects by allergy history, physical findings of allergic symptoms, and corresponding specific circulating IgE antibodies. The group consisting of nonatopic subjects was divided into four age categories in order to exclude age-dependent variations in the expression of the low-affinity IgE receptor. In our study population, sCD23 serum levels were not influenced by age. Furthermore, no significant differences, especially no decrease in serum sCD23 levels, between the four nonatopic age groups were detected. There was no significant increase of sCD23 serum levels in atopic subjects in comparison with nonatopic blood donors. In addition, no correlation between total IgE levels and sCD23 serum levels could be detected, in either the group of atopic donors or the group of nonatopics. Our data suggest that the circulating low-affinity IgE receptor does not appear to be an additional general marker for the diagnosis of allergies, as previously suggested.     

真核细胞源性sCD23促T细胞增殖效应分析

用自然裂解法提取的可溶性ＣＤ２３分子（ｓＣＤ２３）作用于体外培养的扁桃体单个核细胞，没有观察到任何显著效应。在系统研究ＰＨＡ预处理与Ｔ细胞增殖之间关系的基础上发现：粗提天然ｓＣＤ２３对经ＰＨＡ预活化２４或３６小时的扁桃体Ｔ细胞具有明显的促增殖作用。但ｓＣＤ２３在高浓度（≥１２８ｎｇ／ｍｌ）时可抑制Ｔ细胞增殖。包被ＣＤ２３ＭｃＡｂ的羊红细胞（ＳＲＢＣ）吸收实验证实，对Ｔ细胞产生ＴＣＧＦ样效应的有效成份是ｓＣＤ２３。用亲和层析纯化的ｓＣＤ２３进行效应分析也得到与粗提ｓＣＤ２３相同的结果，我们认为，ｓＣＤ２３不能直接活化Ｔ细胞，但可能促进经适当诱导后Ｔ细胞的增殖。活化可能诱导Ｔ细胞表达ｓＣＤ２３受体的假说，为一步研究ＣＤ２３分子介导的免疫细胞间相互作用提供了充分依据。     

Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine and adenosine 5'-monophosphate in young children with asthma: their relationship with blood eosinophils and serum eosinophil cationic protein

BACKGROUND: Bronchial hyperresponsiveness is a characteristic feature of asthma, and is usually measured by bronchial challenges using direct or indirect stimuli. Blood eosinophil numbers and serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) are considered as indirect measures of airway inflammation in asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate whether bronchial responsiveness to adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) is more closely associated with blood eosinophil markers, compared with that to methacholine, in young children with asthma. METHODS: Methacholine and AMP bronchial challenges were performed in 4- to 6-year-old children with asthma (n = 77) and in healthy controls (n = 32), using a modified auscultation method. The end-point was defined as the appearance of wheezing and/or oxygen desaturation. The peripheral blood eosinophil counts and serum ECP concentrations were determined in each subject. RESULTS: A positive response to methacholine (end-point concentration < or =8mg/ml) and to AMP (end-point concentration < or =200 mg/ml) was observed in 74 (96.1%) and 66 asthmatic children (85.7%), respectively. A majority of controls was unresponsive to both challenges. In the asthma group, there was no significant correlation between methacholine end-point concentration and the eosinophil counts (r = -0.111, P = 0.337) or serum ECP levels (r = -0.126, P = 0.274). In contrast, AMP end-point concentration correlated significantly with the eosinophil counts (r = -0.372, P = 0.001) and with serum ECP levels (r = -0.371, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that bronchial responsiveness to AMP is more closely related to airway inflammation, compared with that to methacholine, and support the potential usefulness of AMP challenges in detecting inflammatory changes in young children with asthma.     

Increased serum levels of macrophage activation marker sCD163 in Dengue patients

BackgroundDengue viruses are known to infect and replicate in macrophages. Thus studying the host responsive molecules that are specifically released by macrophages during the course of dengue infection may provide better understanding on dengue immunopathogenesis. Soluble CD163 (sCD163) is a scavenger receptor, highly expressed on macrophages reported to be involved in some viral disease. The participation of sCD163 in dengue is not known.ObjectiveThe present study aimed to explore the role of sCD163 as a potential biomarker for predicting dengue disease.Study designUsing a case-control design, 82 dengue subjects consisting of 69 non-severe dengue (NSD) and 13 severe dengue (SD) along with 32 non-dengue other febrile illness (OFI) subjects and 30 healthy subjects were involved in the study. The serum concentration of sCD163 was determined in the study subjects at admission and around defervescence using ELISA. Statistical analysis was done using Mann-Whitney U test andWilcoxon signed rank test.ResultsThe study recorded a significant increase in the sCD163 serum level at defervescence phase specifically among dengue group compared to OFI. sCD163 was also found to be significantly higher in secondary cases compared to primary at both admission and defervescence. Furthermore,a higher level of sCD163 was also observed in SD compared to NSD cases, although no statistical significance was observedConclusionThe study substantiates the role of macrophage activation in dengue pathogenesis and further study is needed to decipher the exact role of sCD163 in the disease pathogenesis and to explore its potential as a marker for the early prediction of dengue severity.