Authors: Zorena, K.¹; Myśliwska, J.¹; Myśliwiec, M.²; Balcerska, A.²; Lipowski, P.³; Raczyńska, K.³

Source: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, Volume 67, Number 2, February 2008 , pp. 204-208(5)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

The objective of the study was to analyse levels of IL-12 and TNF-α and relate the findings to the occurrence of microangiopathy in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). We examined a group of 123 children with type 1 DM. Serum levels of IL-12 and TNF-α were measured by an immunoenzymatic ELISA technique. TNF-α and IL-12 tended to be simultaneously present or absent in the sera of 50% of the children who had not developed complications, thus indicating a state of cytokine's equilibrium. Among the patients with an established retinopathy, two IL-12/TNF-α combinations were visible. Either a lack of detectable TNF-α was accompanied by measurable IL-12 serum concentrations or TNF-α incidence was associated with undetectable IL-12 values. Simultaneous lack of TNF-α and presence of IL-12 was associated with a better prognosis as these patients had a significantly lower albumin excretion rate. The state of equilibrium between TNF-α and IL-12 is beneficial in patients at early stages of the disease, prior to the occurrence of complications. Shifting the equilibrium towards TNF-α seems to promote late complications. It may suggest that a disharmony between pro- and anti-angiogenic function of these cytokines underlie the mechanism by which TNF-α and IL-12 shape the disease course.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3083.2007.02054.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Immunology 2: Diabetological Department Clinic of Pediatrics, Hematology, Oncology and Endocrinology 3: Department and Clinic of Ophthalmology Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

Publication date: 2008-02-01

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• In this Subject: Microbiology ,  Allergy & Immunology
• By this author: Zorena, K. ;  Myśliwska, J. ;  Myśliwiec, M. ;  Balcerska, A. ;  Lipowski, P. ;  Raczyńska, K.

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