The role of cytokines on pathogenesis of acute graft-versus-host disease

Objective To investigate the role of cytokines IL 2、IL 4、IL 10、IFN γ in pathogenesis of acute graft versus host disease. Methods Twenty one patients undergoing allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo HSCT) were included in this study. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) was used to analyzed gene expression of cytokine IL 2、IL 4、IL 10、IFN γ in peripheral mononuclear cells of allo HSCT Patients.Results All patients achieved engraftment, nine patients developed grade ⅠGVHD, three patients developed grade Ⅲ Ⅳ GVHD. during the development of aGVHD, the expression of IL 2、IFN γ increased, that of IL 10 decreased, IL 4 expression showed no difference between the patients with or without aGVHD. Conclusion Cytokine IL 2、IFN γ play important roles in the development in human aGVHD , and IL 10 plays a negative regulatory role.