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Plasma IL4 Levels Linked to Pulmonary Hypertension Severity and Outcome
Yun Li1,2, Yi Liu1, Zhanping Liang1
1Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Lower levels of plasma interleukin-4 (IL4) indicate a higher risk and poorer outcomes in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients. This finding highlights IL4 as a potential prognostic biomarker for PH disease severity and survival.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Interleukin-4 (IL4), an anti-inflammatory cytokine, is recognized for its protective role in cardiovascular diseases.
- The prognostic significance of IL4 in pulmonary hypertension (PH) has not been clearly established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify plasma IL4 levels in PH patients.
- To investigate the association between IL4 levels, PH risk, and patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- An observational study involving 766 PH patients and 191 healthy controls.
- Analysis of plasma IL4 levels using Spearman correlation, ROC curves, Cox regression, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.
- Development and validation of a nomogram for mortality prediction using decision curve analysis.
Main Results:
- Plasma IL4 levels were significantly lower in PH patients compared to controls and across different PH severity groups.
- Lower IL4 levels correlated with increased PH risk, disease severity markers (NT-proBNP, mPAP), and poorer survival rates.
- IL4 was identified as an independent predictor of survival, with a diagnostic model combining IL4, 6MWD, and NT-proBNP showing good prognostic value.
Conclusions:
- Reduced plasma IL4 levels are associated with increased disease severity in PH.
- Lower IL4 levels serve as a significant prognostic indicator for adverse outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension.
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