Up-Regulation of Interleukin-10 mRNA Expression in Peripheral Leukocytes Predicts Poor Outcome and Diminished Human Leukocyte Antigen-DR Expression on Monocytes in Septic Patients

Background None of the parameters can predict the deterioration of sepsis early enough. A new predictor allowing earlier detection of changes in septic patients' condition is indispensable. Methods We examined whether cytokine-related mRNA expression in peripheral leukocytes, cytokine blood level, and monocyte human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression rate could be useful predictors of deterioration of sepsis. Twenty septic patients were enrolled. mRNA expression levels were quantified using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and assessed by percent changes during the first 24 h. Cytokine blood levels on admission and day 3 and monocyte HLA-DR expression rate on day 3 were also measured. Correlations between each of these parameters, and between these parameters and outcome were analyzed. Results Among seven kinds of cytokines studied, only IL-10 mRNA level showed significant difference between survivors and non-survivors ( P < 0.05). Mortality rate of interleukin (IL)-10 mRNA level up-regulated group was significantly higher than that of IL-10 mRNA level down-regulated group ( P < 0.05). HLA-DR expression rate in non-survivors were significantly lower than that in survivors ( P < 0.05). Although IL-10 blood level on day 3 significantly correlated with HLA-DR expression on day 3( r = 0.54, P < 0.05), IL-10 blood level on admission did not correlate with it. Contrarily, the degree of up-regulation of IL-10 mRNA expression during the first 24 h significantly correlated with the degree of diminished HLA-DR expression on day 3 ( r = 0.78, P < 0.001). Conclusions Up-regulated IL-10 mRNA expression and diminished HLA-DR expression could be indicators of poor outcome. Furthermore, IL-10 mRNA expression measurement could predict the onset of immunoparalysis indicated by diminished HLA-DR expression earlier than IL-10 blood level measurement, leading to earlier commencement of the treatment.