Low serum levels of CD44, CD44v6, and neopterin indicate immune dysfunction in chronic pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND
In autoimmune diseases, malignancies, and inflammatory conditions, a correlation of serum levels of CD44, interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2r), and neopterin with disease activity could be shown.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the immune parameters in chronic pancreatitis in correlation to clinical data to evaluate the potential role of immune dysfunction as a risk factor.


METHODS
Levels of IL-2r, sCD44, sCD44v6, and neopterin were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 63 patients with chronic pancreatitis who underwent surgery between 1992 and 1995 in our institution. Clinical data were evaluated prospectively before surgery, and a follow-up investigation was conducted in 1997.


RESULTS
Mean serum levels of CD44, CD44v6, and neopterin were significantly lower in patients with chronic pancreatitis compared with the control group. The mean level of IL-2r was also lower in chronic pancreatitis, but this difference was not significant. However, no influence of immunosuppressive factors such as alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, or diabetes could be detected on the levels of IL-2r, CD44, CD44v6, and neopterin.


CONCLUSIONS
In accordance with other diseases of reduced immunoreactivity, depressed serum levels of biomarkers in chronic pancreatitis are caused by reduced T-lymphocyte and macrophage activation. By ruling out a significant influence of concomitant immunosuppressive factors, we conclude that the inflammatory process itself is the source of the depressed immune function, which might be restored by surgical resection.
Schlosser
W
W
Department of General Surgery, University of Ulm, Steinhoevelstr. 9, D-89075 Ulm, Germany.
Gansauge
F
F
Schlosser
S
S
Gansauge
S
S
Beger
H G
HG
D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002908:Chronic Disease; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019798:Neopterin / Q000097:blood*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D012907:Smoking
C112697:CD44v6 antigen; D006023:Glycoproteins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D019798:Neopterin