Abstract
To investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) released by activated macrophages, sequential serum samples of 120 patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. De novo increases in serum TNF-α levels were correlated with the development of acute endothelial complications as well as acute graft-versus-host disease. In addition, the analysis of time courses revealed a different capacity of TNF-α regulation at various phases of BMT. While patients with acute TNF-α release in the first 2 weeks of BMT had a significantly enhanced incidence of complications, a subgroup of 9 patients with chronic asymptomatic release of TNF-α before admission to BMT was observed. These patients were protected from complications in the course of the first 6 months of BMT. Our observations indicate the occurrence of desensitization for TNF-α, as it is also reported after repeated injections of TNF-α or endotoxin in experimental models.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 171-175 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Pathobiology |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1991 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Bone marrow transplantation
- Endothelial complications
- Graft-versus-host disease
- Macrophages
- Tumor necrosis factor-α