Systemic cytokine profiles in biliary atresia
Issued Date
2022-04-01
Resource Type
eISSN
19326203
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85128629302
Pubmed ID
35452452
Journal Title
PLoS ONE
Volume
17
Issue
4 April
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
PLoS ONE Vol.17 No.4 April (2022)
Suggested Citation
Udomsinprasert W., Ungsudechachai T., Vejchapipat P., Poovorawan Y., Honsawek S. Systemic cytokine profiles in biliary atresia. PLoS ONE Vol.17 No.4 April (2022). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0267363 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/86530
Title
Systemic cytokine profiles in biliary atresia
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background Inflammation and immune dysregulation persuade biliary duct injury in biliary atresia (BA), a leading cause of pediatric liver transplantation given lack of specific biomarkers. We aimed to determine associations between systemic cytokine profiles and clinical parameters in BA patients and to identify potential BA biomarkers. Methods Systemic levels of 27 cytokines were measured in 82 BA patients and 25 healthy controls using a multiplex immunoassay. Relative mRNA expressions of candidate cytokines in 20 BA livers and 5 non-BA livers were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. Results Higher levels of 17 cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-2, IL-15, eotaxin, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, G-CSF, IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 and lower levels of IFN-α and PDGF were significantly associated with BA. In BA patients, increased levels of IL-7, eotaxin, IP-10, and IL-13 were significantly associated with unfavorable outcomes including jaundice, fibrosis, and portal hypertension. Indeed, systemic levels of those cytokines were significantly correlated with clinical parameters indicating jaundice, fibrosis, and hepatic dysfunction in BA patients. Out of 27 cytokines, 4 (IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, and PDGF) had potential as sensitive and specific biomarkers of BA. Of these, higher IL-8 levels were significantly associated with reduced survival of BA. In BA livers, relative mRNA expressions of IL-8, IP-10, and MCP-1 were significantly up-regulated. Conclusions Higher levels of several cytokines including inflammatory cytokines, immunomodulatory cytokines, chemokines, and anti-inflammatory cytokines and lower levels of growth factors would reflect inflammatory and immune responses related to BA development. Among 27 cytokines, plasma IL-8 might have great potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for BA.