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Expression of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor in peritoneal mononuclear cells after gastrectomy
1First Department of Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
As macrophages are found in peritoneal exudates after abdominal surgery, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, their messenger RNAs and immune-specific proteins would also be expected to be found in both peritoneal fluid and mononuclear cells under such conditions. The peritoneal fluid and plasma of patients who had undergone gastrectomy were investigated on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Evidence of mRNA expression and the intracellular immunocytochemical localization of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha was determined in cells isolated from peritoneal fluid, and immune-specific protein levels in the peritoneal fluid were measured. Both interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha proteins were identified immunocytochemically in the cytoplasm of peritoneal mononuclear cells, and their mRNAs were detected by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The concentration of interleukin-6 in the peritoneal fluid was significantly higher than that in the plasma, and a high level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was found in the peritoneal fluid, despite its absence from plasma. Expression and changing levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human peritoneal fluid after gastrectomy were shown, indicating local production of these cytokines, which may play important roles in tissue repair.
Insights
Following gastrectomy surgery, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were detected in peritoneal fluid and cells. These cytokines, crucial for tissue repair, showed local production and distinct levels in peritoneal fluid versus plasma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Surgical Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Macrophages in peritoneal exudates suggest local immune responses after abdominal surgery.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) are key inflammatory cytokines.
- Investigating these cytokines in peritoneal fluid and cells post-gastrectomy is relevant to understanding surgical recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the presence and localization of IL-6 and TNF-α proteins and their messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in peritoneal fluid and cells after gastrectomy.
- To compare the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in peritoneal fluid with those in plasma.
- To elucidate the role of local cytokine production in postoperative tissue repair.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of peritoneal fluid and plasma from gastrectomy patients on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 7.
- Immunocytochemical staining to identify IL-6 and TNF-α protein localization in peritoneal mononuclear cells.
- Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression.
- Measurement of immune-specific protein levels in peritoneal fluid.
Main Results:
- IL-6 and TNF-α proteins were immunocytochemically identified in the cytoplasm of peritoneal mononuclear cells.
- mRNA for both IL-6 and TNF-α was detected in cells isolated from peritoneal fluid.
- Peritoneal fluid IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher than plasma levels.
- High levels of TNF-α were found in peritoneal fluid, but it was absent in plasma.
Conclusions:
- This study demonstrates the expression and changing levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in human peritoneal fluid following gastrectomy.
- Local production of these cytokines in the peritoneal cavity is indicated.
- IL-6 and TNF-α likely play significant roles in the process of postoperative tissue repair.