title: Correlations among age, cytokines, lymphocyte subtypes, and platelet counts in autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.
abstract: While autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura is mediated by autoantibodies, accumulating evidence suggests that T helper cells and the cytokines they produce also play a key role. We determined correlations among age, serum cytokine concentrations, circulating lymphocyte, and platelet counts in adult (n=19) and children (n=29) with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. Correlations between age and cytokine levels were also assessed in healthy controls (n=50). Significant positive correlations between age and serum levels of interferon-gamma, age and CD4+ lymphocytes, age and natural killer cell count were observed in these patients. Absolute lymphocyte and CD8+ cell count was significantly inversely correlated with age. In adult patients, a significant inverse correlation between platelet and absolute lymphocyte count was observed. In pediatric patients, an inverse correlation of platelet count with serum concentration of interleukin-3 was recorded. In 50 healthy volunteers there were significant positive correlations between age and interleukin-3, -4, -6, and interferon-gamma, and significantly negative correlations with interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-alpha. Additional evaluations are necessary to identify the impact of age-related changes in immune function on the clinical course of autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology, Clinical Hospital Split, 21000 Split, Spincićeva 1, and Institute of Anatomy, Medical School University of Zagreb, Salata, Croatia. srdjana.culic@st.htnet.hr
authors.forename: Srdana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Culić
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Labar
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marusić
authors.forename: Ilza
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Salamunić
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007223:Infant; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines