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Published on: March 2, 2011
High interleukin 12 and low interleukin 10 production after in vitro stimulation detected in sepsis survivors
Spaska A Stanilova1, Zhivko T Karakolev, Gospodin S Dimov
1Department of Molecular Biology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Thrakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. stanilova@mf.uni-sz.bg
Objective:
To evaluate viability of isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and production of cytokines in vitro after stimulation as prognostic factors for survival in sepsis patients.
Design:
Prospective study of the biological response of PBMC in the onset of severe sepsis.
Setting:
Research laboratory of molecular biology and immunology and university hospital ICU, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University.
Patients:
Twenty-three patients meeting the criteria for severe sepsis, and 14 control subjects.
Interventions:
Isolated PBMC were stimulated in vitro with: C3-binding glycoprotein (C3bgp; 30 microg), lipopolysaccharide (30 microg), phytohemagglutinin (20 microg), pokeweed mitogen (30 microg), and dexamethasone (500 microg).
Measurements And Results:
We measured the levels of interleukins (IL) 6, 10, and 12 in culture supernatants. Stimulation with C3bgp and phytohemagglutinin led to significantly lower PBMC secretion of IL-6 in nonsurvivors than in survivors and healthy donors. Stimulation with C3bgp, lipopolysaccharide, and pokeweed mitogen considerably reduced IL-12 production in nonsurvivors. Stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and pokeweed mitogen caused immune cells in nonsurvivors to produce higher levels of IL-10 than in survivors. Survival of PBMC reduced viability for nonsurvivors' PBMC, both spontaneously and as induced by lipopolysaccharide or pokeweed mitogen.
Conclusions:
The viability of PBMC at the onset of sepsis and enhanced production of IL-12 and diminished production of IL-10 after stimulation with all stimuli used may be a favorable prognostic factor in sepsis.
