Urinary interleukin-9 in youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Interleukins in Urine and Blood as Markers of Infection and as Risk Factors for Systemic Conditions

Interleukins are a diverse group of cytokines that play a crucial role in controlling immune responses and have potential as biomarkers. This mini review evaluates 12 recent papers linking urinary interleukins to both urinary infection and systemic diseases. While measurement of serum interleukins can indicate systemic inflammation, urinary interleukins provide more specific insights into renal or urinary tract inflammation. Urinary interleukins such as IL-8, IL-18, and IL-1β show promise for diagnosing urinary tract infections and other conditions. However, their diagnostic utility is complicated by their wide distribution in the body and patient-related factors. Advances in analytical techniques have enhanced the sensitivity and speed of interleukin measurement, improving their clinical utility. PATIENT SUMMARY: This review highlights research showing that measurement of molecules associated with the immune system in urine samples can help in diagnosing and monitoring disease affecting the urinary tract and kidneys. These urine tests can provide more specific information about infections than blood tests can.

The emerging role of T helper 9 (Th9) cells in immunopathophysiology: A comprehensive review of their effects and responsiveness in various disease states

Th9 cells, a subset of T-helper cells producing interleukin-9 (IL-9), play a vital role in the adaptive immune response and have diverse effects in different diseases. Regulated by transcription factors like PU.1 and IRF4, and cytokines such as IL-4 and TGF-β, Th9 cells drive tissue inflammation. This review focuses on their emerging role in immunopathophysiology. Th9 cells exhibit immune-mediated cancer cell destruction, showing promise in glioma and cervical cancer treatment. However, their role in breast and lung cancer is intricate, requiring a deeper understanding of pro- and anti-tumor aspects. Th9 cells, along with IL-9, foster T cell and immune cell proliferation, contributing to autoimmune disorders. They are implicated in psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and infections. In allergic reactions and asthma, Th9 cells fuel pro-inflammatory responses. Targeting Foxo1 may regulate innate and adaptive immune responses, alleviating disease symptoms. This comprehensive review outlines Th9 cells' evolving immunopathophysiological role, emphasizing the necessity for further research to grasp their effects and potential therapeutic applications across diseases.

Causal relationships between circulating inflammatory cytokines and diabetic neuropathy: A Mendelian Randomization study

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence suggests systemic inflammation as a critical mechanism underlying diabetic neuropathy. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between 41 circulating inflammatory cytokines and diabetic neuropathy.

METHODS

Summary statistics from previous Genome-Wide Association studies (GWAS) included pooled data on 41 inflammatory cytokines and diabetic neuropathy. A two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) design was employed, and the robustness of the results was confirmed through comprehensive sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

Our study reveals that the linkage between increased levels of IFN_G (OR = 1.31, 95 %CI: 1.06-1.63; P = 0.014), IP_10 (OR = 1.18, 95 %CI: 1.01-1.36; P = 0.031) and an elevated risk of diabetic neuropathy. Conversely, higher levels of IL_9 (OR = 0.86, 95 %CI: 0.75-1.00; P = 0.048) and SCF (OR = 0.83, 95 %CI: 0.73-0.94; P = 0.003) are genetically determined to protect against diabetic neuropathy. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis affirmed the results' dependability, revealing no heterogeneity or pleiotropy.

CONCLUSION

Our MR research identified four upstream inflammatory cytokines implicated in diabetic neuropathy. Overall, these findings suggest the potential for innovative therapeutic strategies. Further large-scale cohort studies are required for validation.

T cells and their products in diabetic kidney disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease and has gradually become a public health problem worldwide. DKD is increasingly recognized as a comprehensive inflammatory disease that is largely regulated by T cells. Given the pivotal role of T cells and T cells-producing cytokines in DKD, we summarized recent advances concerning T cells in the progression of type 2 diabetic nephropathy and provided a novel perspective of immune-related factors in diabetes. Specific emphasis is placed on the classification of T cells, process of T cell recruitment, function of T cells in the development of diabetic kidney damage, and potential treatments and therapeutic strategies involving T cells.

Exploring Urinary Extracellular Vesicles and Immune Mediators as Biomarkers of Kidney Injury in COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients

Kidney injury is an important outcome associated with COVID-19 severity. In this regard, alterations in urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) could be detected in the early phases of renal injury and may be reflective of the inflammatory process. This is an observational study performed with a case series of COVID-19 hospitalized patients presenting mild-to-critical disease. Total and podocyte-derived uEVs were identified by nanoscale flow cytometry, and urinary immune mediators were assessed by a multiplex assay. We studied 36 patients, where 24 (66.7%) were considered as mild/moderate and 12 (33.3%) as severe/critical. Increased levels of total uEVs were observed (p = 0.0001). Importantly, total uEVs were significantly higher in severe/critical patients who underwent hemodialysis (p = 0.03) and were able to predict this clinical outcome (AUC 0.93, p = 0.02). Severe/critical patients also presented elevated urinary levels (p < 0.05) of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-16, IL-17A, LIF, CCL-2, CCL-3, CCL-11, CXCL-10, FGFb, M-CSF, and CTAcK. Lastly, we observed that total uEVs were associated with urinary immune mediators. In conclusion, our results show that early alterations in urinary EVs could identify patients at higher risk of developing renal dysfunction in COVID-19. This could also be relevant in different scenarios of systemic and/or infectious disease.