CYTOKINE GENE-EXPRESSION IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD MONONUCLEAR-CELLS DURINGGRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE AFTER ALLOGENEIC BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

Cytokine gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells during the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in patients who un derwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo BMT) was analysed using a semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain react ion (RT-PCR). The expression of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumo ur necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA was increased during the developme nt of GVHD and the degree of this increment depended on the severity o f the disease. IL-2 expression was not detected at all and interferon- gamma expression was not much changed during GVHD. In patients with he patic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), another transplantation-related co mplication, the expression of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha mRNA was increase d but IL-6 mRNA expression showed little increase. These findings sugg est that IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha produced by peripheral blood mon onuclear cells play an important role in the development of GVHD. Furt hermore, liver dysfunction due to GVHD or VOD may be distinguishable b y this type of cytokine analysis. Analysis of cytokine mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after allogeneic bone marrow tr ansplantation may provide important information concerning the immune response and the cytokine network system in marrow transplant patients .