Mirko Pesce¹, Antonia Patruno¹, Lorenza Speranza¹, Marcella Reale²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.24, No.1, pp. 1-10, 2013, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0332

Abstract Wound healing is a highly coordinated and complex process involving various cell types, chemical mediators and the surrounding extracellular matrix, resulting in a tightly orchestrated re-establishment of tissue integrity by specific cytokines. It consists of various dynamic processes including a series of overlapping phases: inflammation, proliferation, re-epithelialization and remodeling. One of the underlying mechanisms responsible for the disturbances in wound healing is an out-of-control inflammatory response that can cause pathological consequences, such as hypertrophic scars, keloids or chronic wounds and ulcers. Recently, several reports have evaluated the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs)… More >

Hubertus Himmerich^1,a, Johannes Fischer^2,a, Katrin Bauer³, Kenneth C. Kirkby⁴, Ulrich Sack³, Ute Krügel²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.24, No.2, pp. 97-103, 2013, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0338

Abstract Stress-induced cytokine changes may be the link between stress and the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders such as depression, and organic diseases such as infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer. We tested the effect of stress on interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-22, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ serum levels in male Wistar rats. Rats underwent either acute stress by forced swimming (N = 8), chronic restraint stress (N = 8), or were not subjected to any stress (N = 8). IL-2 serum levels were significantly higher in forced swimming, but not in restraint stress… More >

Mahmoud Nateghi Rostami¹, Masoumeh Douraghi², Akram Miramin Mohammadi³, Bahram Nikmanesh⁴

European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.2, pp. 64-67, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2012.0307

Abstract There are reports showing that pro-inflammatory cytokines are dysregulated in patients with Down’s syndrome (DS). However, most of these reports concern adults. We analyzed cytokine levels in serum samples from children with DS, and compared them with samples from intellectually disabled (ID), and healthy, control children.Blood samples were collected from 24 DS, 24 age-/sex-matched ID, and 24 age-/sex-matched healthy, control children. Serum levels of the cytokines IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were measured using a sandwich ELISA method, .The age range of the children was 1-15 years, with a mean ± SD of 5.75… More >

Dalila Mezioug, Chafia Touil-Boukoffa

European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.3, pp. 112-119, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2012.0314

Abstract Hydatidosis is a parasitic disease caused by the development, in humans and other mammals, of the larval form of Taenia,Echinococcus granulosus. It is one of the world’s major zoonotic infections. This study aimed to examine interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) production in patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE), and the role of IL-17A in the modulation of the immune response against the extracellular parasite, E. granulosus. A relationship between IL-6, IL-17A production and C reactive Protein (CRP) levels was also assessed. IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-17A and CRP production were determined in serum from Algerian hydatid… More >

Maha Kammoun-Krichen^1,2, Noura Bougacha-Elleuch^1,2, Mouna Mnif^1,3, Fadia Bougacha⁴, Ilhem Charffedine⁵, Sandra Rebuffat^1,6, Ahmed Rebai⁴, Emilie Glasson⁷, Mohamed Abid³, Fatma Ayadi⁸, Sylvie Péraldi-Roux^1,6, Hammadi Ayadi^1,2

European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.3, pp. 101-106, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2012.0312

Abstract Interactions between cytokines and others soluble factors (hormones, antibodies...) can play an important role in the development of thyroid pathogenesis.The purpose of the present study was to examine the possible correlation between serum cytokine concentrations, thyroid hormones (FT4 and TSH) and auto-antibodies (Tg and TPO), and their usefulness in discriminating between different thyroid conditions. In this study, we investigated serum from 115 patients affected with a variety of thyroid conditions (44 Graves’ disease, 17 Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, 11 atrophic thyroiditis, 28 thyroid nodular goitre and 15 papillary thyroid cancer), and 30 controls. Levels of 17 cytokines More >

İbrahim Etem Pişkin¹, Hande Nur Karavar¹, Mehmet Araslı², Bahri Ermiş³

European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.4, pp. 187-190, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0324

Abstract Background: Breast milk contains several immune modulator components. The transfer of numerouscytokines via mother’s milk may add to an active stimulation of the infant’s immune system. There are many factorsin breast milk that could either facilitate or inhibit cytokine activities. Smoking negatively influences the immunesystem and changes the concentrations of important cytokines. Objective: The objective of this study was to assessthe effect of smoking during pregnancy on the cytokines found in colostrum and mature human milk. Methods: Thestudy population included 25 smoker and 27 non-smoker nursing mothers who gave birth to a term healthy infantvia… More >

Mohammad Taraz¹, Mohammad-Reza Khatami², Afshin Gharekhani¹, Alireza Abdollahi³, Hossein Khalili⁴, Simin Dashti-Khavidaki^4,5

European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.4, pp. 179-186, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2013.0326

Abstract Aim: Depression represents the most frequent psychiatric disorder in patients on maintenance haemodialysis (HD), and it might be associated with secretion of inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we explore the possible correlations between depression and pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines, as well as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) serum levels.Methods: Eighty three HD patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and ‘elevated symptoms of depression’ were defined as a BDI score of ≥16. Biochemical parameters (serum albumin, haemoglobin, ferritin, etc.) and dialysis dosage… More >

Håkon Reikvam, Kimberley Joanne Hatfield, Hanne Fredly, Ina Nepstad, Knut Anders Mosevoll, Øystein Bruserud

European Cytokine Network, Vol.23, No.4, pp. 140-153, 2012, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2012.0322

Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by bone marrow accumulation of immature leukemic blast cells. Conventional AML treatment includes induction chemotherapy to achieve disease control, followed by consolidation therapy with conventional chemotherapy or allogeneic/autologous stem cell transplantation (allo/autoSCT) to eradicate residual disease. Even younger patients receiving the most intensive treatment have a median, long-term, AML-free survival of only 45-50%, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies. The important role of the bone marrow cytokine network during disease development and treatment is suggested by several observations, including: (i) the increased microvascular density (MVD) in leukemic bone… More >

Torunn O. Apelseth^1,2, Tor Hervig^1,2, Tore Wentzel-Larsen^3,4,5, Kjell Petersen⁶, Håkon Reikvam⁷, Øystein Bruserud^7,8

European Cytokine Network, Vol.22, No.1, pp. 52-62, 2011, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2011.0271

Abstract Background. Platelet concentrates contain soluble mediators derived from both platelets and contaminating leukocytes. During platelet transfusion these mediators are transferred, and transfusion-induced modulation of the cytokine network may then occur, possibly contributing to transfusion reactions, immunomodulation, or affecting residual leukemic cells. In this prospective observational study, we investigate the effect of platelet transfusion on the systemic levels of platelet-derived cytokines, chemokines and interleukins in an unselected group of acute leukaemia patients with severe chemotherapy-induced cytopenia. Study design and methods. We investigated 31 platelet transfusions involving pre-storage, white blood cell-reduced, gamma-irradiated or pathogen-inactivated, photochemically-treated platelet concentrates… More >

Ferhat Cekmez¹, Yasemin Cekmez², Özgür Pirgon¹, Fuat Emre Canpolat¹, Secil Aydinöz³, Osman Metin Ipcioglu⁴, Ferhan Karademir³

European Cytokine Network, Vol.22, No.1, pp. 32-37, 2011, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2011.0279

Abstract Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between four circulating adipocytokines (apelin, vaspin, visfatin, adiponectin) and markers of insulin sensitivity, in the context of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents. Subjects and methods. 48, obese, adolescent girls (mean age: 15.6±3.4 years, mean body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-SDS): 2.31±0.1), and 37 control subjects (mean age: 16.2±3 years, mean BMI-SDS: 2.17±0.05) were enrolled the study. The diagnosis of PCOS was established according to the Rotterdam criteria. Hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance was evaluated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) from fasting samples.… More >