Quantitative flow cytometry to measure the TNF-alpha and IL-2 system after heart transplantation.
After heart transplantation a high incidence of infections and malignancies is found. Not only immunosuppression, but also intrinsic cytokine systems with some unbalance, e. g. TNF-alpha and IL-2, can result in impaired immune competence and may have a role in these complications. The aim of this study was to assess the activity of the TNF-alpha and IL-2 systems after heart transplantation. In peripheral blood we measured expression of activation markers of TNF-alpha (TNF-R2) and IL-2 (IL-2R alpha, IL-2R beta-chain) on monocytes and lymphocytes using quantitative flow-cytometric analysis. TNF-R2 expression was significantly enhanced on monocytes and lymphocytes in patients after heart transplantation, while the expression of IL-2R alpha and IL-2R beta was not elevated. Increased TNF-R2 expression in peripheral blood after heart transplantation reflects an activated TNF-alpha system, leading to high levels of active sTNF-R, which impairs TNF-alpha bioavailibility and consequently leads to immune incompetence.
van Riemsdijk
I C
IC
Department of Internal Medicine 1, University Hospital Rotterdam-Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. vanriemsdijk@inw2.azr.nl
Baan
C C
CC
Knoop
C J
CJ
Vantrimpont
P J
PJ
Balk
A H
AH
Maat
A P
AP
Weimar
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000097:blood; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha