title: Decreased serum interleukin 1 activity and monocyte interleukin 1 production in patients with fatal sepsis.
abstract: The role of interleukin 1 (IL 1) in 16 patients with sepsis and 16 normal controls was investigated. Thymocyte costimulation was used to assay in vitro IL 1 levels produced by adherent cells in the peripheral blood, and in vivo IL 1 levels in the serum. Adherent cells (i.e., monocytes) from nonsurviving septic patients produced significantly less IL 1 activity than cells from healthy controls or surviving patients, either spontaneously or by silica stimulation. In contrast, in vitro IL 2 production by T lymphocytes was not altered in septic patients. Serum IL 1 activity was determined using serum fractions from high-pressure liquid chromatographic gel filtration. Suppressor factors in healthy subjects as well as septic patients usually eluted at molecular weights above 50 kilodaltons, while IL 1-like activity was normally present between 35 and 1 kilodaltons. Sera of nonsurviving septic patients contained significantly less IL 1 compared to that of controls or surviving patients. Thus, decreased serum IL 1 levels and diminished monocyte production of IL 1 appear to be negative prognostic indicators, possibly reflecting a breakdown of mononuclear phagocytes.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007239:Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1