title: Systemic and Local Cytokine Profile in Biliary Atresia.
abstract: PurposeSystemic and local immune environments in human biliary atresia (BA) were analyzed.MethodsPlasma concentrations of 19 inflammatory components in 16 preoperative BA patients (median age, 51 days), 13 normal controls (NCs) (44 days), and 15 cholestatic controls (CC) (23 days) were measured using flow cytometry, and compared according to post-Kasai outcomes in BA patients. Hepatic mRNA levels of representative helper T (Th) cell cytokines and forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) quantified by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were compared between BA and non-BA.ResultsNo significant differences were observed between BA and control in serum Th1, Th2, or macrophage markers, while soluble cellular adhesion molecule (CAM) levels were significantly higher in BA (p< 0.0001 for NC;p= 0.0003 for CC). No statistically significant difference was discovered between BA with favorable and unfavorable prognosis. Hepatic mRNA levels of interferon-gamma or interleukin-4 showed no significant differences between BA and non-BA, while FoxP3 was significantly higher in BA (p= 0.01).ConclusionsA skewed bias toward specific Th-oriented immunity was not demonstrated in either the systemic or local environment in the early stage of human BA, with patient prognoses not necessarily revealed by preoperative plasma inflammatory component levels. CAM and regulatory T cell roles and functions warrant further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba City, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba City, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Akemi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba City, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hatano
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chiba Children's Hospital, Chiba City, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iwai
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chiba Children's Hospital, Chiba City, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Higashimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba City, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida
mesh_terms: D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines