Changes in soluble interleukin-2 receptor level in serum and Na^+ -K^+ -exchanging ATPase activity in semen of infertile men caused by antisperm antibody

Aim: To explore the possible mechanisms of male infertility caused by antisperm antibody (AsAb). Methods: Thesoluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) level in serum was analyzed by ELISA and Na^+ -K^+ -exchanging ATPase activi-ty in semen by phosphorus (Pi) assay. Results: The slL-2R level in serum was significantly higher and the Na^+ -K^+ -exchanging ATPase activity in semen significantly lower in AsAb positive infertile men when compared with thecontrols. Conclusion: The AsAb titer varies with the slL-2R level in serum. A decrease in Na^+ -K^+ -exchangingATPase activity in semen may play a role in male infertility caused by AsAb.

Study of the Effect of Leeching on Plasma Endothelin and Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective: to explore the mechanism of leeching in treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Forty-four patients with SLE were randomly divided into conventional corticosteroid treated group (control group, n =20) and conventional treatment group with leeching intervention added (leeching group, n =24). Before and after treatment the concentration of plasma endothelin (ET) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were determined. Results: Before treatment the level of plasma ET and sIL-2R in the SLE patients were all higher than those in the normal healthy group, ( P <0.01). But after treatment the level of these in both groups were significantly improved than those of before treatment ( P <0.05), and comparison between these two treated groups showed that the difference between them was significant ( P <0.05). Conclusion: Leeching added to conventional treatment of SLE could be more effective in improving the level of plasma ET and sIL-2R, and ameliorating the impairment of renal tissues.

Effects of Aprotinin on Serum Interleukin-2 and Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor during Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Interleukin-2 and its receptor are of importance in regulating immunity responses. The changes of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) during heart valve (s) replacement operation and effects of aprotinin on them were observed. Twenty patients undergoing heart valve (s) replacement were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n=10) and apro- tinin group (n=10). In aprotinin group, 1 000 000 KIU aprotinin was given by vein injection and then 2 000 000 KIU was given as a bolus in prime. Blood samples were collected before CPB, right after CPB and on the 1st, 3rd and 7th postoperative day (POD) for serum IL-2 and sIL-2R determination. Results showed that after CPB, IL-2 was reduced and slL-2R increased. Meanwhile, serum IL-2R was lower in aprotinin group than that of control. It is concluded that the immunity depression after CPB is associated with low level of IL-2 and high level of sIL-2R and aprotinin can ameliorate the situation.

Elevated pancreatic enzymes, IgM, soluble interleukin-2 receptor in anti-GADab(+) type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes can be classified into immune-mediated diabetes (type 1A) and idiopathic diabetes, which lacks immunological evidence for beta cell autoimmunity (type 1B). Type 1A diabetes is characterized by the presence of the anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (anti-GADab). Fulminant type 1 diabetes is classified as type 1B diabetes, and characterized by the absence of anti-GADab, flu-like symptoms, and elevated serum exocrine pancreatic enzymes. We report a type 1 diabetic patient who showed flu-like symptoms, elevated serum exocrine pancreatic enzymes, and an extremely high-titer of anti-GADab, manifesting the characteristics of both type 1A and fulminant type 1 diabetes.

Fluence of Glucosidorum Tripterygii Totorum on joint and serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objective The current study was designed to find out the effect of Glucosidorum Tripterygii Totorum (GTT) on the serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Method 29 patients with active AS were selected to take GTT (1mg per kg) three times a day for one year. After that, its curative effect was evaluated. The serum level of sIL-2R of these patients was measured by sandwich ELISA method and was compared with that of normal subjects. Result The serum level of sIL-2R in active AS patients was obviously higher than that of the non-active AS patients. (P<0.01). The total effective rate of GTT on AS was 89.6%, while clinical relief rate 27.6%, obvious effective rate 44.8%, effective rate 17.2% and non-effective rate 10.4%. The patients’ serum level of sIL-2R after therapy was significantly lower than that before therapy except patients with no effect. (P<0.05). Conclusion GTT has positive curative effect on active AS patients and could cause obvious decrease of the serum level of sIL-2R. The serum level of sIL-2R can be used as an important index of activity of AS and as a guide of therapy.

Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and its relation with antiHBc

瞄准：与长期的肝炎 B (HBV ) 感染在病人调查在可溶的 interleukin-2 受体(sIL-2R ) 铺平的浆液和 anti-HBc 之间的关系。方法：从有长期的 HBV 感染和 30 健康控制的 100 个病人的血清在这研究被包括。病人被划分成组 A [HBsAg (+) ， HBeAg (+) 和 anti-HBc (+) ， n=50 ] 并且组 B [HBsAg (+) ， HBeAg (+) 和 anti-HBc (-) ， n=50 ] 。sIL-2R 层次用 ELISA 被决定。HBV DNA 和丙氨酸 aminotransferase (中高音) 也被检测。结果：浆液 sIL-2R 层次比在健康控制在有长期的 HBV 感染的病人是显著地更高的。而且，浆液 sIL-2R 层次在有比在有 HBsAg (+) ， HBeAg (+) 和 anti-HBc (-) 的病人的 HBsAg (+) ， HBeAg (+) 和 anti-HBc (+)(976.56+/-213.51x10 (3 ) U/L ) 的病人是显著地更高的(393.41+/-189.54x10 (3 ) U/L， P【0.01 ) 。一种重要关系与长期的 HBV 感染在病人在浆液 sIL-2R 和中高音层次(P【0.01 ) 之间被发现，但是在 sIL-2R 和 HBV DNA 层次之间没有关联。anti-HBc 地位是显著地与病人(P【0.01 ) 的年龄有关。结论：高 sIL-2R 水平与在长期的肝炎 B 病人的积极 anti-HBc 有关。积极 anti-HBc 可能与 T 淋巴细胞激活有关，否定 anti-HBc 可以在这些病人暗示有免疫力的忍耐。

Effect of Kang’ai Injection (康艾注射液) on Serum Level of Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Patients with Esophageal Carcinoma during Radiotherapy

Objective： To observe the effect of Kang＇ai Injection （康艾注射液, KAI） on serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor （sIL-2R） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in patients with esophageal carcinoma （EC） during radiotherapy （RT）, and to investigate its synergistic effect with RT and its influence on immunological function of the body. Methods： One hundred and seventy patients with EC, who had missed the chance of surgical operational therapy, were assigned to the treated group （90 cases） and the RT group （80 cases）, and at the same time a control group consisting of 80 inpatients without tumors was set up. Patients in the RT group were treated with RT alone but KAI was given additionally to those in the treated group, with 50 ml given once per day via intravenous dripping, 15 days as one course, and 2 courses administered in total. The immediate therapeutic efficacy and changes of serum slL-2R and VEGF levels were observed, and the effect of KAI on patients＇ quality of life （QOF） was evaluated by Karnofsky scoring. Results： In 16 patients of the treated group it was completely remission （OR）, in 54 partially remission （PR）, in 18 it was stabilized disease （SD） and in 2 progressive disease （PD）, with the total effective rate （CR ＋ PR） as 77.8%, while in those of the control group it was 12, 46, 18, 4 and 72.5%, respectively, the immediate therapeutic efficacy in the treated group was somewhat better than that in the RT group, but showed no statistical significance （P〉0.05）. Serum levels of slL-2R and VEGF in all the patients before treatment were higher than those in the control group, which were decreased after treatment in both groups （P〈0.05）, but the improvement in the treated group was better than that in the RT group, showing significant difference （P〈0.05）, and patients＇ QOF improved more significantly in the former as well （62.2 % vs 40.0%, P〈 0.05）. Conclusion： KAI in combination with RT in treating patients with EC could enhance the immunological function of patients, improve their QOF and enhance their sensitivity to RT.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ELEVATED SERUM SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR IN GASTRIC CANCER

This is China’s pilot stndy in the assessment of the diagnostic value of serum soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in gastric cancer.We measured its level by ELISA method in 45 patients with gastric cancer (without metastasis:32;with metastasis:5;recurrence:8)27 gastric ulcer,

DETECTION OF PLASMA SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN－2 RECEPTOR IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE AND CHRONIC ACTIVE HEPATITIS B

Plasma levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in patients with chronic active hepatitis B (CAHB) or severe hepatitis B (SHB) were measured quantitatively by 'sandwich' ELISA with monoclonal antibodies in order to explore the change of sIL-2R levels, its clinical significance,and its relation to liver damage. The results showed that the plasma sIL-2R levels in patients with CAHB and SHB were much higher than those in normal controls (P < 0. 01 ), and the level ofplasma sIL-2R in patients with SHB was greatly higher than that in patients with CAHB. These results suggest that there is close relation between plasma level of sIL-2R, the clinical types of hepatitis B,and the severity of liver damage. In addition, there is no significant difference in plasma levels of sIL-2R between acute severe hepatitis B (ASHB), subacute severe hepatitis B (SASHB), and chronic severe hepatitis B (CSHB). No relation was found between sIL-2R level and hepatitis B virusreplication activity.

Increased serum levels of soluble CD146 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration

AIM: To investigate serum levels of soluble CD146(s CD146) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2) in patients with age-related macular degeneration(AMD). METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with exudative AMD and 45 sex-and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study conducted in China. Serum samples was obtained from the patients with exudative AMD and from the controls. Serum sCD146 and VEGFR2 protein levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS: We found that serum sCD146 and VEGFR2 protein levels were significantly higher in the patients with exudative AMD group than in the controls(t=3.859, P<0.001 and t=3.829, P<0.001, respectively). Serum sCD146 levels were significantly higher in patients with classic choroidal neovascularization(CNV) than in those with occult CNV(t=9.899, P<0.001). There was a significant difference in the trend for exudative AMD in the highest versus lowest quartile of circulating sCD146 levels(χ2=10.29, P=0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.696 for s CD146(95%CI: 0.601-0.791) with an optimum diagnostic cut-off value of 157.16 ng/mL, a sensitivity of 55.7%, and a specificity of 82.2%.CONCLUSION: The serum sCD146 level increases and may be a biomarker for exudative AMD.

Water-soluble lipopolymer delivery of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor 2B siRNA relieves chronic neuropathic pain in rats

Spinal dorsal horn N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor 2B （NR2B） overexpression plays an important role in the production and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Because small interfering RNA （siRNA） can inhibit NR2B expression, siRNA may provide a novel approach to treat neuropathic pain and possibly nerve injury. However, an efficient and safe vector for NR2B siRNA has not been discovered. This study shows that a water soluble lipopolymer （WSLP） comprised of low molecular weight polyethyleneimine （PEI） and cholesterol can deliver siRNA targeting NR2B for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Results show that intrathecal injection of WSLP/siRNA complexes for 3 days inhibit NR2B gene expression with reductions in mRNA and protein levels by 59% and 54%, respectively, compared with control rats （P 〈 0.01）. Injection of WSLP complexed with scrambled siRNA, or PEI with siRNA did not show this inhibitory effect. Moreover, injection of WSLP/siRNA complexes significantly relieved neuropathic pain at 3, 7, 12, and 21 days, while injection of WSLP with scrambled siRNA or PEI with siRNA did not. These results demonstrate that WSLP can efficiently deliver siRNA targeting NR2B in vivo and relieve neuropathic pain.

Administration of soluble activin receptor 2B increases bone and muscle mass in a mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta（OI） comprises a group of heritable connective tissue disorders generally defined by recurrent fractures, low bone mass, short stature and skeletal fragility. Beyond the skeletal complications of OI,many patients also report intolerance to physical activity, fatigue and muscle weakness. Indeed, recent studies have demonstrated that skeletal muscle is also negatively affected by OI, both directly and indirectly. Given the well-established interdependence of bone and skeletal muscle in both physiology and pathophysiology and the observations of skeletal muscle pathology in patients with OI, we investigated the therapeutic potential of simultaneous anabolic targeting of both bone and skeletal muscle using a soluble activin receptor 2B（ACVR2B） in a mouse model of type Ⅲ OI（oim）. Treatment of 12-week-old oim mice with ACVR2 B for 4 weeks resulted in significant increases in both bone and muscle that were similar to those observed in healthy,wild-type littermates. This proof of concept study provides encouraging evidence for a holistic approach to treating the deleterious consequences of OI in the musculoskeletal system.

Glycosylation-independent binding to extracellular domains 11-13 of mannose-6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor-2 receptor mediates the effects of soluble CREG on the phenotypic proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

Background The present study aimed to investigate the detailed mode and specific sites for their binding as well as the functional relevance of this binding in the phenotypic proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(SMCs). Methods CREG knocked-down SMCs were employed to evaluate the biological activity of wtCREG and mCREG.Expressions of SMC differentiation markers SM myosin heavy chain(SM-MHC),SM-actin,heavy caldesmon and myocardin were determined by Western blotting using specific antibodies. Cellular growth of SMCs was assessed by bromide dewuridine (BrdU) incorporation and cell cycle analysis on fluorescence-activated cell sorting(FACS).A solid-phase binding assay was used to study the binding of CREG to extracellular domains of M6P/IGF2R.The cellular co-localization of the two recombinant CREGs with M6P/IGF2R was detected on SMC surface by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence analysis.Results The molecular weight of wtCREG was around 30 kD while that of the mCREG was～25 kD.Treatment of wtCREG with PNGase F reduced its molecular weight from～30 kD to～25 kD,whereas PNGase F treatment had no effect on the molecular weight of mCREG.Both wtCREG and mCREG proteins enhanced SMC differentiation,inhibited BrdU incorporation,and arrested cell cycle progression when added to the culture medium.In CREG knocked-down SMCs,the amount of CREG detected by immunoblotting in M6P/IGF2R immunoprecipitates was significantly reduced when compared to normal cells.Both recombinant CREGs co-immunoprecipitated with M6P/IGF2R, although slightly reduced amount of the mutant CREG was detected in M6P/IGF2R immunoprecipitates.Immunostaining revealed that His-tagged CREGs co-localized with IGF2R on the cell surface in a glycosylation-independent manner.In vitro binding assay showed that CREGs bound to M6P/ IGF2R extracellular domains 7-10 and 11-13 in a glycosylation -dependent and -independent manner,respectively.Further blocking experiments using soluble M6P/IGF2R fragments and M6P/IGF2R neutralizing antibody indicated that the biological activities of recombinant CREGs in SMC growth and the up-regulation of SMC differentiation markers were all abolished by treatment with the M6P/IGF2R neutralizing antibody. However,although the growth inhibitory effect of wtCREG was nearly abolished by D7-10 or D11-13,the effect of mCREG was only reversed by Dll-13,indicating that the binding to domains 11-13 is required for CREG to modulate the proliferation of SMCs.Conclusions These data suggest that solubleCREG proteins can exert their biological function via binding to the extracellular domains 7-10 and 11-13 of cell surface M6P/IGF2R in both a glycosylation-dependent and -independent manner.

Soluble Interleukin 2 Receptor-Alpha (sIL-2Rα) in the Peripheral Blood of Dogs—Comparison of Malignant Neoplasia with Other Diseases

Background: Cytokines are mediators of diseases. Expression levels in the blood could be of clinical relevance. Objective: sIL-2Rα is used as a marker for different malignancies in human medicine. The aim of this study was to show if sIL-2Rα is detectable and if there is any correlation to different diseases in dogs. Methods: For this purposes sIL-2Rα concentrations in the blood were measured in healthy dogs, in dogs with different non-neoplastic diseases and benign tumors and in dogs with malignant tumors. Serum levels of sIL-2Rα were measured by using a human specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Measurement of sIL-2Rα was successful in most of the samples. Dogs with diseases have significantly increased serum levels of sIL-2Rα compared to healthy controls. sIL-2Rα serum levels are higher in patients with non-neoplastic diseases and benign tumors than in those with malignant neoplasia. There is a strong correlation between sIL-2Rα and leukocyte count. Conclusion: Measurements of sIL-2Rα in serum may be helpful in detecting stages and grades of inflammation in the progression of disease. sIL-2Rα could actually not be used as an indicator for malignant diseases in dogs like in humans. The strong correlation between sIL-2Rα and the leukocyte count indicates the inflammatory response to the disease. This could be helpful in giving a prognosis in some cases, because the inflammatory reaction is of prognostic relevance in different diseases including malignant and non-malignant neoplasia. Although the results of our research studies were very promising, further studies should be performed with a canine ELISA.

The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1-Ra) and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNF RI) in periodontal disease

The course and severity of periodontitis can be significantly affected by bacterial virulence as well as host immunity dysfunction. Periodontal tissue destruction has been proved to result from cascade of cytokines synthesized by reactive cells upon stimulation by pathogenic bacteria and lipopolysaccharides within their cell membranes. The clinical use of genetically programmed cells, producing substances blocking IL-1, based on recombinant IL-1 antagonist, as well as cytokines activating fibroblasts and osteoblasts to regenerate the destroyed periodontal tissue could prove alternative to the conventional treatment. Another cytokine of interest in respect to periodontitis ethiopathogenesis is soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNF RI). Observation of soluble TNF receptors as physiologic inhibitors of TNF led to its administration in therapeutic process as well as in therapy selected cases of aggressive periodontitis.

外周血sIL-2R、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)、TNF-α对初治活动性肺结核老年患者化疗疗效的评估价值

目的探讨外周血可溶性白细胞介素2受体(sIL-2R)、CD4^(+)淋巴细胞百分比/CD8^(+)淋巴细胞百分比比值(下称CD4^(+)/CD8^(+))、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)对初治活动性肺结核老年患者化疗疗效的评估价值。方法将2019年12月至2022年12月该院收治的102例初治活动性肺结核老年患者纳入研究作为观察组,另选取102例年龄≥60岁且同期于该院体检的健康者作为对照组。比较两组外周血sIL-2R、TNF-α、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)水平并分析sIL-2R、TNF-α、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)间的相关性。观察组均采用2HRZE/4HR抗结核治疗方案,比较观察组治疗前、治疗1个月、治疗6个月时不同疗效患者外周血sIL-2R、TNF-α、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+);分析sIL-2R、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)、TNF-α水平与疗效的相关性;采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析各指标用于老年患者化疗疗效评估的效能。结果观察组sIL-2R、TNF-α水平高于对照组,而CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组sIL-2R、TNF-α与CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)呈负相关(P<0.05),sIL-2R与TNF-α呈正相关(P<0.05)。治疗1个月、治疗6个月时显效患者sIL-2R、TNF-α水平低于有效患者,而后者又低于无效患者,显效患者CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)高于有效患者,而后者又高于无效患者,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。sIL-2R、TNF-α水平与疗效呈负相关(P<0.05),CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)与疗效呈正相关(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析显示,治疗1个月、6个月时sIL-2R、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)、TNF-α联合用于评估疗效的曲线下面积(AUC)明显大于各时间点单项指标用于评估的AUC(P<0.05),而且治疗6个月时各指标联合评估的AUC大于治疗1个月(P<0.05)。结论初治活动性肺结核老年患者sIL-2R、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)、TNF-α水平与患者疗效密切相关,将以上指标联合用于评估患者化疗疗效具有一定参考价值。

2型糖尿病下肢血管病变患者介入治疗后血清NLRP3及sVCAM-1水平对再狭窄的意义

目的探讨2型糖尿病下肢血管病变患者介入治疗后血清NOD样受体蛋白3(NLRP3)及可溶性血管细胞黏附分子-1(sVCAM-1)水平对再狭窄的意义。方法回顾性分析2022年1月~2023年1月于河北省邯郸市中心医院血管介入科104例成功行血管介入治疗的2型糖尿病下肢血管病变患者的临床资料。根据介入后再狭窄发生情况分为再狭窄组(n=20)和无再狭窄组(n=84),比较两组患者一般资料及介入后24 h血清NLRP3、sVCAM-1水平,采用多因素Logistic回归模型分析再狭窄发生的影响因素;创建受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线,分析血清NLRP3、sVCAM-1检测对再狭窄的预测价值。结果与无再狭窄组相比,再狭窄组患者2型糖尿病病程、下肢动脉病变长度更长,Fontaine分期Ⅳ期占比、下肢动脉完全闭塞占比及血清糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、NLRP3、sVCAM-1水平更高(P<0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析显示,下肢动脉完全闭塞、下肢动脉病变长度、HbA1c、NLRP3及sVCAM-1是2型糖尿病下肢血管病变患者介入后再狭窄发生的影响因素(P<0.05);ROC曲线显示,血清NLRP3、sVCAM-1联合检测对2型糖尿病下肢血管病变患者介入后再狭窄发生的预测价值较高,敏感度为95.00%,特异度为71.43%,ROC曲线下面积为0.929。结论血清NLRP3、sVCAM-1水平高表达均是2型糖尿病下肢血管病变患者介入治疗后再狭窄发生的危险因素,二者联合检测能提高2型糖尿病下肢血管病变患者介入治疗后再狭窄预测的准确性。

Serum soluble ST2 is a promising prognostic biomarker in HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure

BACKGROUND： The IL-33/ST2 axis is involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases such as autoimmune diseases, cancer,and heart failure. However, studies of the IL-33/ST2 pathway in HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure（HBV-ACLF） are lacking. The present study aimed to determine the prognostic role of serum IL-33/soluble ST2（s ST2） in HBV-ACLF.METHODS： Serum levels of IL-33 and sS T2 in healthy controls（HC, n=18）, chronic hepatitis B（CHB, n=27） and HBV-ACLF（n=51） patients at the 1st and 4th week after enrollment were detected using ELISA, and clinical data were collected. The follow-up of HBV-ACLF patients lasted for 6 months at least.RESULTS： There was no significant difference of serum IL-33 level among HC, CHB and HBV-ACLF patients at week 1.However, serum s ST2 level differed significantly among the three groups： highest in the HBV-ACLF group, moderate in the CHB group and lowest in the HC group. There was a reverse correlation between serum s ST2 level and the survival of HBV-ACLF patients. The level of serum s ST2 in HBV-ACLF survivors was significantly declined from week 1 to week 4 following the treatment, whereas that in HBV-ACLF nonsurvivors remained at a high level during the same period. Furthermore, serum sS T2 level was significantly correlated with laboratory parameters and the most updated prognostic scores（CLIF-C OF score, CLIF-C ACLF score and ACLF grades）. Thereceiver operating characteristics curves demonstrated that serum sS T2 level was a good diagnostic marker for predicting the 6-month mortality in HBV-ACLF patients, comparable to the most updated prognostic scores. Serum sS T2 cut-off points for predicting prognosis in HBV-ACLF patients were 76 ng/mL at week 1 or 53 ng/mL at week 4, respectively. HBV-ACLF patients with serum sS T2 level above the cut-off point often had a worse prognosis than those below the cut-off point.CONCLUSION： Serum s ST2 may act as a promising biomarker to assess severity and predict prognosis of patients with HBV-ACLF and help for the early identification and optimal treatment of HBV-ACLF patients at high risk of mortality.

Serum soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 as a novel inflammatory marker predicts the severity of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis(AP)is an inflammatory disease in which the regulatory pathway is complex and not well understood.Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2(sST2)protein receptor functions as a decoy receptor for interleukin(IL)-33 to prevent IL-33/suppression of tumorigenicity 2L(ST2L)-pathwaymediated T helper(Th)2 immune responses.AIM To investigate the role of sST2 in AP.METHODS We assessed the association between sST2 and severity of AP in 123 patients enrolled in this study.The serum levels of sST2,C-reactive protein(CRP)and Th1-and Th2-related cytokines,including interferon(IFN)-γ,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,IL-2,IL-4,IL-5 and IL-13,were measured by highly sensitive ELISA,and the severity of AP in patients was evaluated by the 2012 Atlanta Classification Criteria.RESULTS Serum sST2 levels were significantly increased in AP patients,and further,these levels were significantly elevated in severe AP(SAP)patients compared to moderately severe AP(MSAP)and mild AP(MAP)patients.Logistic regression showed sST2 was a predictor of SAP[odds ratio(OR):1.003(1.001–1.006),P=0.000].sST2 cutoff point was 1190 pg/mL,and sST2 above this cutoff was associated with SAP.sST2 was also a predictor of any organ failure and mortality during AP[OR:1.006(1.003–1.009),P=0.000,OR:1.002(1.001–1.004),P=0.012,respectively].Additionally,the Th1-related cytokines IFN-γand TNF-αin the SAP group were higher and the Th2-related cytokine IL-4 in the SAP group was significantly lower than those in MSAP and MAP groups.CONCLUSION sST2 may be used as a novel inflammatory marker in predicting AP severity and may regulate the function and differentiation of IL-33/ST2-mediated Th1 and Th2 Lymphocytes in AP homeostasis.