Research Of Interleukin-16 Expression In The Pleural Effusion

Objective to investigate the celluar express of interleukin 16 (IL-16) in the pleural effusion, and correlation between IL-16 levels and cytologicial parameters.Methods Total nucleates cell and differential counts in the pleural effusion form 16 patients of benign pleural effusion and 14 patients of malignant pleural effusion ; flow cytometry (Flow Cytometry, FCM) was performed to determine T-lymphocy subset in cell pellets of pleural effusion; the express of IL-16mRNA and proteins were tested by In situ hybridization (In Situ Hybridization ISH) and immunohistochemical ; immunofluorescence double staining technique was operated with the direct smear method and the paraffin imbedding in the same pleural effusion ,and the results of the positive cells was compared;At the same time, the express of IL-16 in pleural effusion lymphocytes including CD4~+, CD8~+ cells, B cells, CD14~+ cells was detected, the difference and the correlation were analyzed.The results were expressed by rate and the x±s respectively ,and the SPSS 13.0 sofeware was applied.Results 1. IL-16mRNA expression in the non-malignant group is (27.69± 5.09)% and obviously more than (20.64±4.27)% (P <0.05) in the malignant group, Lymphocytes in the expression level of non-malignant group (22.25±4.30)% was obviously significantly higher than the malignant group (15.00±3.37)% (P <0.05), Compared with malignant group, monocytes / macrophages, mesothelial cells expressed a lower level, but were not significantly different (P> 0.05);2.pleural IL-16 mRNA level was positively correlated with numbers of lymphocytes (n = 30, r = 0.513, P = 0.004), CD3~+ T lymphocytes (n = 30, r = 0.384, P = 0.036), CD4~+ T lymphocytes (n = 30, r = 0.363, P = 0.049),but not of neutrophils, monocytes / macrophages, mesothelial cells and cancer cells and CD8~+ T lymphocytes;3. IL-16 protein expression in the non-malignant group is (20.69±5.72)% was significantly higher than that of malignant group (15.36±3.46)% (P <0.05). Pleural effusion IL-16 protein mainly in the lymphocytes. Lymphocytes in the expression level of non-malignant group (17.44±5.74)% was significantly higher than that of malignant group (11.86±3.26)% (P <0.05) Compared with malignant group, monocytes / macrophages, mesothelial cells expressed a lower level, but were not significantly different (P> 0.05);4. pleural IL-16 mRNA level was positively correlated with numbers of lymphocytes (n = 30, r = 0.832, P = 0.000), CD3~+ T, CD4~+ T lymphocytes was positively correlated (r = 0.396, 0.385; P = 0.030,0.036), but not of neutrophils, monocytes / macrophages, mesothelial cells and cancer cells and CD8~+ T lymphocytes;5. immunofluorescence double staining results not detected IL-16 positive cells in the direct smear method , and cells in the paraffin imbedding paraffin sections can be detected IL-16 positive cells.6. CD4~+cell, CD8~+ cell, CD19~+ B lymphocytes,CD14~+ cell(monocytes) may be the expression of IL-16. Conclusion 1.IL-16 in the pleural effusion is mainly secreted by lymphocytes, Secondly monocytes/macrophages can secrete partly ,but pleural mesothelial cells almost can not secrete. CD4~+ cells, CD8~+ cells, CD19~+ B lymphocytes, CD14~+ cells (mononuclear cells) may express IL-16;2.the concentration of IL-16 in the pleural effusion is possibly related to the type and number of the cells.