Th1/Th2 cytokines and ICAM-1 levels post-liver transplant do not predict early rejection.
Th1 derived cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-2, Th2 cytokine IL-4, and ICAM-1 have been implicated in liver allograft rejection. In order to determine whether monitoring of cytokine profiles during the first days post-liver transplant can predict early rejection we measured IFN-gg, IL-2, sIL-2 receptor, IL-4 and ICAM-1 in 22 patients, in plasma samples obtained within 4 h after liver perfusion (baseline) and between postoperative days (POD) 3-6. ICAM-1 and sIL-2R levels at POD 3-6 were significantly higher than at baseline but did not differ in presence or absence of rejection. Mean percentage increase of ICAM-1 levels was significantly lower in patients with Muromonab-C3 Orthoclone OKT3 (J.C. Health Care) (OKT3) whereas percentage increase of sIL-2R levels was higher in OKT3-treated patients. IFN-gamma levels at POD 3-6 increased from baseline while IL-4 levels were unchanged. Levels of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and their ratios did not correlate with rejection or immunosuppressive therapy. Thus, Th1/Th2 cytokine monitoring during the first week post-transplant does not predict early rejection and immunosuppressive therapy is the predominant factor affecting ICAM and sIL-2R levels after liver transplantation.
Granot
E
E
Department of Paediatrics, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel. etgranot@md.huji.ac.il
Tarcsafalvi
A
A
Emre
S
S
Sheiner
P
P
Guy
S
S
Schwartz
M E
ME
Boros
P
P
Miller
C M
CM
D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D007376:Interleukin-2; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma