Leucocyte response and anti-inflammatory cytokines in community acquired pneumonia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In the host defence of the lung neutrophils (PMN) play a central role. Apart from antimicrobial properties, recent data indicate that PMN also exert anti-inflammatory effects by stimulation and release of cytokine antagonists such as interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra).

METHODS:

Cytokine release from lipopolysaccharide stimulated whole blood was studied in 18 patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and severe co-morbidities at admission and after 24 hours. Release of IL-1ra, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), soluble TNF receptor type I (sTNF-RI), and IL-8 was determined by ELISA.

RESULTS:

The mean (SD) leucocyte level at admission was 12.5 (4.1)/nl. There was a significant correlation between the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ra and sTNF-RI and the leucocyte count at admission and after 24 hours. Additional in vitro experiments showed that co-incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with autologous PMN led to a marked dose dependent increase in IL-1ra and sTNF-RI release.

CONCLUSION:

These results indicate that PMN may be responsible for the increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines in CAP. Strategies to increase neutrophil counts may exert beneficial effects, not only by augmenting the antimicrobial activity but also by modulating the inflammatory cytokine response.

• Authors: U K Kolling, F Hansen, J Braun, L Rink, H A Katus, K Dalhoff
• Journal: Thorax (Thorax) Vol. 56 Issue 2 Pg. 121-5 (Feb 2001) ISSN: 0040-6376 [Print] England
• PMID: 11209100 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• IL1RN protein, human
• Immunoglobulin G
• Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
• Interleukin-1
• Interleukin-8
• Lipopolysaccharides
• Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
• Sialoglycoproteins
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Etanercept

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cells, Cultured
• Community-Acquired Infections (immunology)
• Cytokines (blood)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Etanercept
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (immunology)
• Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
• Interleukin-1 (immunology)
• Interleukin-8 (immunology)
• Leukocyte Count
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (immunology)
• Lipopolysaccharides (pharmacology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neutrophils (immunology)
• Pneumonia (immunology)
• Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor (immunology)
• Sialoglycoproteins (immunology)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (immunology)