Plasma Cytokine Levels in Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Abstract

The cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and its soluble TNF receptors 55 and 75 (sTNFR55, sTNFR75), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL·6) were measured in plasma from 13 patients with the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) on admission. No significant changes in the plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were detected in the HUS patients as compared to the plasma levels of the control groups. Levels of IL-6 were significantly elevated in the plasma of those HUS patients who had extrarenal manifestations, consisting of seizures, loss of consciousness, coma and pancreatic necrosis. Although the exact function of IL-6 in the plasma of HUS patients is still unknown and the group of HUS patients is small, plasma IL-6 is associated with the severity and outcome of the disease. Plasma levels of sTNR55 and sTNFR75 were significantly elevated in all HUS patients compared to the healthy controls, but they were also elevated in the children with chronic renal failure. This indicates that elevated levels of circulating sTNFR should be carefully interpreted when kidney failure exists.

Effects of interaction between Escherichia coli verotoxin and lipopolysaccharide on cytokine induction and lethality in mice

“…Inward et al [14] reported that two of 19 children with VT-producing E. coli infection complicated with HUS were positive for serum TNF-á. Furthermore, van de Kar et al [15] showed no increase in plasma TNF-á in HUS patients compared to healthy controls, and Fitzpatrick et al [16] found TNF-á present in the plasma of only one of 16 patients with HUS. The data on serum cytokines in mice from the present study were largely consistent with these clinical data.…”

Targeted Disruption of Gb3/CD77 Synthase Gene Resulted in the Complete Deletion of Globo-series Glycosphingolipids and Loss of Sensitivity to Verotoxins

“…Because it was reported that LPS and inflammatory cytokines induced Gb3/CD77 expression on some endothelial cells (19), it may be possible that they potentiate VT cytopathology (30). However, the effects of LPS on VT toxicity depend on when it is administered (31).…”

The Functional State of Neutrophils Correlates With the Severity of Renal Dysfunction in Children With Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

“…In this sense, infection, injury and/or isquemia results in the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, and this response is then downregulated by the release of anti-inflammatory mediators, re-127 PMN FUNTIONALITY AND SEVERITY IN HUS sulting in the restoration of homeostasis. In fact, HUS patients consistently showed increased levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, which have been associated with a more severe renal dysfunction of patients (42)(43)(44).…”