PMC524488_01
Gene expression levels of individual cytokines and of calculated Th1 and Th2 activities at 3 and 7 months after splenectomy. Th1 equals with IL-2 units plus IFN-gamma units and Th2 equals with IL-4 units plus IL-5 units.
1471-2326-4-4-1.jpg
PMC524488_01_1471-2326-4-4-1.jpg
F1
A sharp decrease in the expression of the type-1 cytokines IL-2 and IFN-gamma and their calculated sum expressing Th1 activity was observed at 7 months after splenectomy compared to 3 months after splenectomy (Figure 1); this was accompanied by a parallel rise of platelet count from 190 x 106/L to 265 x 106/L. Th2 activity (IL-4 units plus IL-5 units) was slight (Figure 1). The Th1/Th2 ratio {(IL-2+IFNgamma)/(IL-4+IL-5)}, that reflects immune deviation, was accordingly greatly reduced 7 months post-splenectomy (Th1/Th2 = 1.3) compared to 3 months (Th1/Th2 = 3.5) (Figure 2).
Th1 activity (IL-2+IFNgamma) versus Th2 activity (IL-4+IL-5) scatter gram. Asterisks denote the patient's case values at 3 and at 7 months after splenectomy. Diamonds denote the control values. Solid line is the regression line for the controls (r2 = 0.55, p = 0.014) and the two broken lines show the 95% confidence intervals.
1471-2326-4-4-2.jpg
PMC524488_01_1471-2326-4-4-2.jpg
F2
Th2 activity (IL-4 units plus IL-5 units) was slight (Figure 1). The Th1/Th2 ratio {(IL-2+IFNgamma)/(IL-4+IL-5)}, that reflects immune deviation, was accordingly greatly reduced 7 months post-splenectomy (Th1/Th2 = 1.3) compared to 3 months (Th1/Th2 = 3.5) (Figure 2).