Study of the relationship between cytokines and aGVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Objective:To study the serum levels of cytokines in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT) during different periods associated with the grade of acute graft-versus-host disease(aGVHD).Method:The serum levels of cytokines(TNF-α,IFN-γ,IL-2,IL-4,IL-6,IL-10) were detected in 17 patients by flow cytometric beads assay before and after allo-HSCT on week 2,4,8,12,respectively.Result:Following allo-HSCT 8,12 weeks later,the serum IFN-γ levels(ng/L) in patients with grade 2~4 aGVHD((13.66)±(1.16),(14.10)±(0.42),respectively) were higher than those in patients with grade 0~1 aGVHD((10.00)±(0.28),(11.14)±(1.13),respectively)(P(0.05)).And following allo-HSCT 12 weeks later,the serum IL-6 levels in patients with grade 2~4 aGVHD were higher than those in patients with grade 0~1 aGVHD((10.17)±(1.07) vs(6.97)±(1.18))(P(0.05)).But the levels of TNFα,IL-2,IL-4 and IL-10 had no differences(P(0.05)).Conclusion:After allo-HSCT,the serum levels IFN-γ and IL-6 in patients with grade 2~4 aGVHD were higher than those in patients with grade 0~1 aGVHD.Levels of TNF-α,IL-2,IL-4 and IL-10 between the two groups had no statistical differences,which may be influenced by grade of aGVHD,administration of immunosuppressive agents and delay of immune function recovery.