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

AIM： To investigate the relationship between serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor （sIL-2R） level and anti-HBc in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection. METHODS： Sera from 100 patients with chronic HBV infection and 30 healthy controls were included in this study. The patients were divided into group A [HBsAg （＋）, HBeAg （＋） and anti-HBc （＋）, n = 50] and group B [HBsAg （＋）, HBeAg （＋） and anti-HBc （-）, n = 50]. sIL-2R levels were determined using ELISA. HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） were also detected. RESULTS： Serum sIL-2R levels were significantly higher in patients with chronic HBV infection than in healthy controls. Moreover, serum sIL-2R levels were significantly higher in patients with HBsAg （＋）, HBeAg （＋） and antiHBc （＋） （976.56±213.51×10^3 U/L） than in patients with HBsAg （＋）, HBeAg （＋） and anti-HBc （-） （393.41±189.54 ×10^3 U/L, P〈 0.01）. A significant relationship was found between serum sIL-2R and ALT levels （P〈 0.01） in patients with chronic HBV infection, but there was no correlation between sIL-2R and HBV DNA levels. The anti-HBc status was significantly related to the age of patients （P〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： The high sIL-2R level is related to positive anti-HBc in chronic hepatitis B patients. Positive anti-HBc may be related to T-lymphocyte activation and negative anti-HBc may imply immune tolerance in these patients.

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.

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.

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.

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。

急性冠脉综合征患者血清sST2及NLRP3水平与介入术后无复流-慢血流的相关性分析

目的探讨急性冠脉综合征(acute coronary syndrome,Acs)患者血清可溶性生长刺激表达基因蛋白2(soluble growth stimulation expression gene 2 protein,sST2),核苷酸寡聚化结构域样受体热蛋白结构域相关蛋白3(nucleotide oligomerization domain like receptor heat protein domain associated protein 3,NLRP3)水平与经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(percutaneous coronary intervention,PCI)术后无复流-慢血流的关系。方法选择2020年1月~2022年12月佳木斯市中心医院收治的97例急性冠脉综合征患者,所有患者均接受PCI治疗,根据术后无复流-慢血流发生情况分为无复流-慢血流组(n=20)和对照组(n=77)。术前检测血清sST2及NLRP3水平,分析影响急性冠脉综合征患者PCI术后无复流-慢血流的因素以及sST2,NLRP3预测急性冠脉综合征患者PCI术后无复流-慢血流的价值。结果无复流-慢血流组血清sST2(14.32±2.65 ng/ml vs 11.02±2.13 ng/ml),NLRP3(68.23±10.17 pg/ml vs 42.05±8.23 pg/ml)水平高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(t=5.860,12.055,均P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示高血栓负荷(OR:7.791,95%CI:2.834~21.421)、高水平sST2(OR=2.071,95%CI:1.146~3.743)、高水平NLRP3(OR=2.008,95%CI:1.228~3.284)是急性冠脉综合征患者PCI术后无复流-慢血流的危险因素(均P<0.05)。sST2,NLRP3诊断急性冠脉综合征患者PCI术后无复流-慢血流的临界值分别为12.91ng/ml,55.39 pg/ml,曲线下面积分别为0.737,0.686,联合sST2,NLRP3诊断急性冠脉综合征患者PCI术后无复流-慢血流的曲线下面积为0.907,高于单独诊断(Z=2.662,2.856,均P<0.05)。结论急性冠脉综合征患者血清sST2,NLRP3水平增高与PCI术后无复流-慢血流的发生有关,联合检测sST2和NLRP3可提高对术后无复流-慢血流的诊断效能。

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.

High glucose reduces Nrf2-dependent cRAGE release and enhances inflammasome-dependent IL-1βproduction in monocytes:the modulatory effects of EGCG

Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products(sRAGE)acts as a decoy sequestering of RAGE ligands,thus preventing the activation of the ligand-RAGE axis linking human diseases.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying sRAGE remain unclear.In this study,THP-1 monocytes were cultured in normal glucose(NG,5.5 mmol/L)and high glucose(HG,15 mmol/L)to investigate the effects of diabetesrelevant glucose concentrations on sRAGE and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)secretion.The modulatory effects of epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG)in response to HG challenge were also evaluated.HG enhanced intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation and RAGE expression.The secretion of sRAGE,including esRAGE and cRAGE,was reduced under HG conditions,together with the downregulation of a disintegrin and metallopeptidase 10(ADAM10)and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)nuclear translocation.Mechanistically,the HG effects were counteracted by siRAGE and exacerbated by siNrf2.Chromatin immunoprecipitation results showed that Nrf2 binding to the ADAM10 promoter and HG interfered with this binding.Our data reinforce the notion that RAGE and Nrf2 might be sRAGE-regulating factors.Under HG conditions,the treatment of EGCG reduced ROS generation and RAGE activation.EGCG-stimulated cRAGE release was likely caused by the upregulation of the Nrf2-ADAM10 pathway.EGCG inhibited HG-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation at least partly by stimulating sRAGE,thereby reducing IL-1βrelease.

急性白血病患儿造血干细胞移植后血清LDH、sIL-2R、GDF15水平变化及其临床意义

目的检测急性白血病患儿造血干细胞移植后血清乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、可溶性白细胞介素-2受体(sIL-2R)、生长分化因子15(GDF15)水平,并探讨其临床意义。方法回顾性分析2022年1月至2023年6月河南省儿童医院收治的78例急性白血病患儿的临床诊治资料,所有患儿均进行造血干细胞移植,检测患儿移植前后的血清LDH、sIL-2R、GDF15水平。依据患儿移植后6个月的预后情况分为预后良好组(n=64)和预后不良组(n=14)。比较两组患儿的基线资料及移植前后的血清LDH、sIL-2R、GDF15水平,采用偏相关性系数分析血清LDH、sIL-2R、GDF15水平与移植预后的偏相关性,采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清LDH、sIL-2R、GDF15单独及联合预测移植预后的效能,并比较各预测方案的预测效能。结果移植后,患儿的血清LDH、sIL-2R、GDF15水平分别为(224.83±65.27)U/L、(257.41±80.26)U/mL、(0.87±0.26)ng/mL,明显低于移植前的(418.96±135.22)U/L、(492.83±140.47)U/mL、(1.39±0.45)ng/mL,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);预后不良组患儿移植前未达到完全缓解(CR)占比及移植后血清LDH、sIL-2R、GDF15水平分别为64.29%、(327.49±98.42)U/L、(349.83±112.06)U/mL、(1.17±0.32)ng/mL,明显高于预后良好组患儿的26.56%、(202.37±65.87)U/L、(237.19±75.17)U/mL、(0.80±0.26)ng/mL,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);偏相关性分析结果显示,在控制移植前未达到CR等因素后,移植后血清LDH(偏相关性系数=0.894,95%CI:1.415~3.029)、sIL-2R(偏相关性系数=0.875,95%CI:1.374~2.982)、GDF15(偏相关性系数=0.902,95%CI:1.692~3.047)水平仍与移植预后不良显著相关(P<0.05);ROC分析结果显示,移植后血清LDH、sIL-2R、GDF15单独预测移植预后的曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.747、0.787、0.844,LDH+sIL-2R、LDH+GDF15、sIL-2R+GDF15及三者联合预测预后的AUC分别为0.884、0.886、0.898、0.949;成对对比分析结果显示,移植后血清三者联合预测AUC最大(0.949),预测效能明显优于各指标单独及两两联合预测价值。结论血清LDH、sIL-2R、GDF15与急性白血病患儿造血干细胞移植预后密切相关,且三者联合检测对预后不良具有一定预测价值,可作为临床预测预后的辅助指标,并指导临床防治工作。