Cytokine Expressions In Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells During Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

To investigate the relationship between cytokines and human graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

In 21 patients undergoing allo-HSCT, the plasma concentrations of cytokines (interleukin 2(IL-2), soluble interleukin 2 recepter (sIL-2R), interferon-gama (IFN-γ), interleukin 4(IL-4), transforming growth fator-beta1(TGF-β1)) were measured by using sandwich enzyme-linked immunological assay (ELISA) and the gene messanger RNA expressions of these five cytokines were analysed by using semi-quantitate reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

1. The concentrations and gene messanger RNA expressions of IL-2, sIL-2R and IFN-γ in the patients with GVHD were significantly higher than those without GVHD (P<0.01); these three cytokines expression levels in the patients with aGVHD were higher than with cGVHD and without GVHD (P<0.05); The levels of IL-4 showed no difference between the patients with or 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 IL-2, sIL-2R, IFN-γ and TGF-β1 expressions recovered to the levels before transplantation. 2. The results of multivariate logistic regression modles and Kaplan-Meier survival curves analyses showed: age, sex, infection, HLA-matched, blood type, conditioning regiment and the times of absolute neutrophil counts and platelets recovering to normal, had no association with the incidence of GVHD (P>0.05). A multivariate COX survival function modle analysis showed IL-2, sIL-2R and TGF-β1 are independent prognostic factors for GVHD (=11.149, P<0.0001). 3. The results of IL-2, sIL-2R, IFN-γ and TGF-β1 measured by RT-PCR and ELISA for detecting peripheral blood cytokines expression levels had no difference.

1. IL-2, sIL-2R, IFN-γ and TGF-β1 play important roles in the development of GVHD after allo-HSCT. Monitoring the changes of IL-2, sIL-2R, IFN-γ and TGF-β1 expression levels (especially IL-2, sIL-2R and TGF-β1) might provide predictive markers for GVHD, especially aGVHD. 2. Different conditioning regiments resultes in different IL-2, sIL-2R, IFN-γ and TGF-β1 expression levels. 3. IL-4 expression had no effect on the developing of GVHD after allo-HSCT. 4. The sensitivity between RT-PCR and ELISA for detecting peripheral blood cytokines expression levels had no difference.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.