LONG-TERM CYTOKINE ALTERATIONS FOLLOWING ALLOGENEIC BLOOD-TRANSFUSION

Background: Allogeneic blood transfusion is associated with an increas ed risk of infection and higher cancer recurrence rates, Previous rese arch has shown that blood transfusion results in multiple immune effec ts, including cytokine alterations, The purpose of this study was to m easure the long term kinetics of splenocyte cytokine production in tra nsfused mice. Methods: Balb/c mice received either syngeneic transfusi on (Syn-BT) or allogeneic transfusion (Allo-BT) from C3H-HeN mice. Spl enocyte production of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-gamma was quantitated by ELISA on post-transfusion days 5, 10, 21, and 30. Results: Both Al lo-BT and Syn-BT produced significant alterations in cytokine producti on, but Allo-BT produced the most dramatic and enduring effects as sum marized: IL-2: Production of IL-2 was suppressed at day 5, (p < 0.0001 ), but then rose, peaking at day 21, 30% greater than control values ( p < 0.05), IL-6: Allo-BT mice showed suppression of IL-6 throughout th e study period (p < 0.005 vs controls, each time point). IL-10: A 5-fo ld increase in IL-10 production was seen at day 5 after Allo-BT (p < 0 .0001 vs control). Production of IL-10 was suppressed at days 10 and 2 1 (p < 0.001), but returned to control levels by day 30. gamma-IFN: At day 5 post Allo-BT, gamma-IFN was 4x greater than controls (p < 0.000 1), Gamma-IFN production was suppressed at day 10, but then rose at da ys 21 and 30 to nearly 3x control levels (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: All o-BT produced multiple cytokine alterations that were of prolonged dur ation, These results provide a theoretic explanation for the multiple, long-term immunomodulating effects seen in patients who have received transfusions.