• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5399-5403
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• 2012

Aims and Background: Human leukocyte antigen-G and interleukin-2 receptor play pivotal roles in the proliferation of lymphocytes, and thus generation of immune responses. Their overexpression has been evidenced in different malignant hematopoietic diseases. This study aimed to validate serum soluble human leukocyte antigen-G (sHLA-G) and serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) as an additional tool for the diagnosis and follow up of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Subjects and Methods: Both markers were determined by ELISA in the serum of 33 ALL pediatric patients before treatment and after intensification phase of chemotherapy as well as in the serum of 14 healthy donors that were selected as a control group. Results: ALL patients showed abnormal CBC and high serum lactate dehydrogenase, which were improved after chemotherapy. Also, there was a non-significant increase in serum sHLA-G in ALL patients compared with the control group. However, after chemotherapy, sHLA-G was increased significantly compared with before treatment. On the other hand, serum sIL-2R in ALL patients was increased significantly compared with the control group. After chemotherapy, sIL-2R decreased significantly compared with before treatment. Conclusions: From these results it could be suggested that measurement of serum sHLA-G might be helpful in diagnosis of ALL, while sIL-2R might be useful in diagnosis and follow-up of ALL in pediatric patients.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 1999

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the changes in soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) level in sera and urines of children with primary nephrotic syndrome, eliminating the confounding effects of age, proteinuria, and steroid treatment. Methods: Soluble IL-2R was measured by ELISA in sera and urines from patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis as well as from healthy controls. The serum levels and urinary sIL-2R/creatinine ratios were compared between control group and the 12 patient groups divided by their ages (0-1, 2-4, over 5 years), and presence or absence of proteinuria and/or steroid treatment (PU+Tx-, PU+Tx+, PU-Tx+, PU-Tx-). Results: Though the differences were not statistically significant probably because of the small numbers, serum sIL-2R levels seemed to be higher in younger age groups both in patients and control group. Nephrotic children did not show higher serum levels than normal children. Among the patients, proteinuric condition seemed to raise and steroid treatment tended to suppress the serum sIL-2R levels. Urinary sIL-2R/creatinine ratios were higher in younger age groups, more significantly in patients (P<0.001). Proteinuria and steroid treatment affected the urinary sIL-2R/creatinine ratios by the same way as the serum sIL-2R levels. Serum sIL-2R levels and urinary sIL-2R/creatinine ratios were not different between groups of different histologic findings or steroid responsiveness (P>0.05). Conclusion: Serum sIL-2R levels and the urinary sIL-2R/creatinine ratios were higher in younger age, and they were not higher in nephrotic patients compared to control group. The patients in relapse showed higher levels, while the levels were suppressed with steroid treatment. In proteinuric state, urinary sIL-2R/creatinine ratios reflected serum sIL-2R levels.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 1994

Background: The cell mediated immunity has an important role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. sIL-2R has been known as a sensitive marker of T lymphocyte activation Elevated serum levels of sIL-2R have been found in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, organ transplantation, autoimmune diseases, and various granulomatous diseases. Elevated levels of sIL-2R have been also found in the serum and pleural fluid of the patients with tuberculosis. To evaluate the diagnostic value of sIL-2R in the differentiation of tuberculous pleurisy and nontuberculous pleurisy. We measured the level of sIL-2R in the sera and pleural fluids of 12 patients with tuberculous pleurisy and 32 patients with nontuberculous pleurisy. Method: Samples of pleural fluid and serum were centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 10 min to remove cell pellets. Soluble IL-2R was measured with a sandwitch enzyme immunoassay using the Cellfree(r) Interleukin-2 Receptor Test kit(T-cell science,Inc. Cambridge, MA). Results: The results obtained were as follows: 1) The sIL-2R level in pleural fluid of the patients with tuberculous pleurisy was higher than that of patients with nontuberculous pleurisy(P<0.005). 2) When the sIL-2R level above 5,000 u/ml in pleural fluid was used as the cut-off value to diagnose tuberculous pleurisy, it had a sensitivity of 84.6% and a specificity of 90.9%. 3) The sIL-2R level in the sera of the patients with tuberculous pleurisy was higher than that of patients with bacterial pleural effusions and normal control group(P<0.05) and there was no difference of levels compared with malignant pleural effusions and transudative pleural effusions(P>0.05). 4) In patients with tuberculous pleurisy, the mean concentration of sIL-2R in pleural fluid was higher than that in serum(P<0.005). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the measurement of elevated levels of pleural fluid sIL-2R in tuberculous pleurisy may be useful in the differential diagnosis between patients with tuberculous pleurisy and nontuberculous pleurisy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4545-4548
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• 2014

Objective: To investigate the changes of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (SIL-2R) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) contents in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before and after percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) and determine their clinical significance. Materials and Methods: Fasting venous blood (3 mL) from 81 patients with primary HCC diagnosed by pathology was collected in the mornings 1 day before PMCT, and 1 day, 7 days and 1 month after PMCT, and then the serum was separated and stored in $-70^{\circ}C$. The contents of VEGF, SIL-2R and HGF were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The serum VEGF, SIL-2R and HGF contents in 81 patients with primary HCC had obviously dynamic changes before and after PMCT. By comparison to 1 day after PMCT with pre-operation, there was no statistical significance regarding VEGF and SIL-2R contents (P>0.05), but HGF content showed significant difference (P<0.01). Compared with pre-operation, VEGF, SIL-2R and HGF contents 7 days and 1 month after PMCT all manifested significant differences (P<0.01). By comparison to 7 days with 1 month after PMCT, there was no statistical significance regarding the VEGF content (P>0.05), whereas SIL-2R and HGF contents showed significant change (P<0.01). Conclusions: The contents of serum VEGF, SIL-2R and HGF have obviously dynamic changes in primary HCC before and after PMCT, and their joint detection is expected to be an effective hematologic evaluation index of PMCT for primary HCC.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.294-308
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• 2002

Background : The cell-mediated immune response plays an important role in tuberculosis. After being activated by mycobacterial antigens, T lymphocytes express a high affinity receptor (IL-2R) for interleukin-2 (IL-2) on their own surface and release a soluble fraction of the IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) from the cell membrane into the circulation. Neopterin is a metabolite of guanosine-triphosphate, which is produced by stimulated macrophages under the influence of IFN-$\gamma$ with a T lymphocyte origin. Therefore, the utility of sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and the neopterin levels as immunologic indices of the cell-mediated immune response and severity of disease in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was assessed. Methods : The serum sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin levels were measured in 39 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 6 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis prior to treatment and 10 healthy subjects. The serum and pleural sIL-2R, neopterin and ADA levels were measured in 22 patients with tuberculous pleurisy. The patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were divided into a mild, moderate and severe group according to the severity by ATS guidelines. To compare the results from these patients with those of the pretreatment levels, the sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin levels were measured in 36 of the 39 patients(1 patient, expired; 2 patients were referred to a sanitarium) with pulmonary tuberculosis after 2 months of treatment. Results : 1) the serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels were elevated in patients with tuberculosis when compared to those of healthy subjects (p>0.05). The neopterin concentration in the serum was significantly lower in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis($2967{\pm}2132.8$ pg/ml) than in healthy controls($4949{\pm}1242.1$ pg/ml)(p<0.05). 2) In the pulmonary tuberculosis group, the serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels were higher in patients with severe disease than those in patients with mild and moderate disease. However, the neopterin levels declined as the pulmonary tuberculosis became more severe (p<0.01). 3) The mean serum sIL-2R and IFN-$\gamma$ levels declined from $1071{\pm}1139.4$ U/ml to $1023{\pm}1920.9$ U/ml(p>0.05), $41{\pm}52.8$ pg/ml to $22{\pm}23.9$ gm/ml(p<0.05), respectively, after 2 month of treatment. The mean serum neopterin levels increased from $3158{\pm}2272.6$ pg/ml to $3737{\pm}2307.5$ pg/ml(p>0.05) after a 2 month of treatment. These findings were remarkable in the severe group of pulmonary tuberculosis with a clinical correlation. 4) In the patients with tuberculous pleurisy, the serum sIL-2R and ADA were significantly higher than those in the pleural fluid, However, the neopterin levels in the sera and pleural effusion were similar. Conclusion : On the basis of this study, sIL-2R, IFN-$\gamma$ and neopterin measurements may not only provide an insight into the present state of the cell-mediated immune response, but also serve as parameters monitoring of the prognosis of the disease, particularly in patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, an assay of the pleural sIL-2R levels might signal a stimulated local immunity including T cell activation in the tuberculous pleural effusion.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.435-440
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• 2009

Purpose : The concentration of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is estimated as an iron parameter to evaluate erythropoiesis and iron status. The aim of our study is to evaluate the correlation between sTfR concentration and inflammatory parameters and to distinguish iron deficiency anemia from anemia of inflammation. Methods : One hundred and forty-four infants younger than two years of age who visited Gyeongsang University Hospital for 7 years from 2000 to 2006 were enrolled. Patients who had hemoglobin (Hb) <11 g/dL and ferritin <12 mg/L were excluded. Routine hematologic lab, serum ferritin, sTfR, and inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin-6(IL-6), and absolute neutrophil count (ANC)] were investigated. Results : In all patients, the sTfR concentration showed a correlation with Hb, ferritin, MCV, and ANC, but not with CRP and IL-6. In multiple regression models, positive correlations were found between sTfR concentration and IL-6 (r=0.078, P=0.043), and negative correlations were found between sTfR concentration and ANC (r=-0.117, P=0.033) and MCV (r=-0.027, P=0.009). Conclusion : sTfR concentration was influenced by inflammatory parameters. Therefore, sTfR does not appear to be a useful parameter for discriminating between iron deficiency anemia and anemia of inflammation in infants.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of water-soluble mulberry leaf extract (ME) on hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed rats via the regulation of hepatic microRNA (miR)-221/222 and inflammation. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 weeks old) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 7 each) and fed with 10 kcal% low-fat diet (LF), 45 kcal% high-fat diet (HF), or HF + 0.8% ME for 14 weeks. Lipid profiles and cytokine levels of the liver and serum were measured using commercial enzymatic colorimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and miR levels in liver tissue were assayed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Supplementation of ME reduces body weight and improves the liver and serum lipid profiles as compared to the HF group. The mRNA levels of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, and fatty acid translocase, which are genes involved in lipid metabolism, were significantly downregulated in the ME group compared to the HF group. In contrast, the mRNA level of hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (involved in fatty acid oxidation) was upregulated by ME supplementation. Furthermore, administration of ME significantly downregulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators such as hepatic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide were also significantly reduced in ME group compared to the HF group. Expression of hepatic miR-221 and miR-222, which increase in the inflammatory state of the liver, were also significantly inhibited in the ME group compared to the HF group. Conclusion: These results indicate that ME has the potential to improve hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed rats via modulation of inflammatory mediators and hepatic miR-221/222 expressions.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 1996

Background: Abnormalities of the peripheral blood are frequent and varied in patients with miliary tuberculosis. Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, monocytosis, basophilia, eosinophilia and leukemoid reactions have been reported. These abnormalities are more frequent in patients with positive bone marrow study. In this report, we evaluated clinical, hematological and immunological features in patients with miliary tuberculosis in order to know whether difference is existed between "bone marrow biopsy positive group(pathologically proven to miliary tuberculosis)" and "negative group". Method: Clinical evaluation, serum ADA, sIL-2R, and T-lymphocyte subsets were measured in 40 patients with miliary tuberculosis who received bone marrow biopsy. Results: 1) The average age of patients was 39 year-old. There were 23 male and 17 female patients. Associated extrapulmonary tuberculosis are 9 CNS tuberculosis, 6 joint tuberculosis, and 2 tuberculous pleurisy. 2) Sixteen of the 40 patients were positive bone marrow biopsy(60%). 3) Sixteen of the 40 patients(60%) had anemia(11 positive patients: 13 negative patients). Leukopenia occurred in 12 per cent(4:1). Thrombocytopenia was noted in 10%(3:1). 4) The mean value of serum ADA was 83 U/L(90 U/L: 70.6 U/L, p=0.23). 5) The mean activity of Soluble IL-2 receptor was 4,643 pmol/L($6840{\pm}7446\;pmol/L$: $1,897{\pm}1,663\;pmol/L$, p=0.06). 6) In the T lymphocyte subsets, the percent of T-lymphocytes was 64%(62%:73%, p=0.2). In some patients(9), $T_4$ and $T_8$ ratio in BAL fluid($1.97{\pm}1.2$) was higher than that in the peripheral blood($1.16{\pm}0.5$). Conclusion: Bone marrow examination are diagnostic in 60% of cases of miliary tuberculosis. Percents of the total T lymphocyte and helper T cell in BAL are more elevated than in peripheral blood. There was no significant difference in peripheral blood abnormalities and marker of T lymphocyte activation between the bone marrow biopsy positive and negative group.