Evaluation of selected parameters of the cytokine system in burn wounds in children

Abstract

Using immunohistochemical methods, we studied cellular infiltrations of burn wounds in children. The relative number of cells with cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) CD68 molecules, cells with receptors for interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor (IL-2R), IL-3, IL-3R, IL-6, IL-6R, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), TNF-αR, and cells with TNF-α molecules on their surface was studied. The relationships between these values were determined. The following results were observed: (1) A positive correlation between the relative numbers of CD68 cells and the percentage of cells with receptors for IL-2 (IL-2R) and TNF-α (TNF-αR); (2) A negative correlation between the relative numbers of CD3 cells and cells with receptors for IL-2 and TNF-α; (3) A strong negative correlation between the relative numbers of CD3 and CD68 cells; (4) A positive correlation between the percentage of cells with receptors for TNF-α and the size of the burn wound; and (5) A positive correlation between the relative numbers of cells with the TNF-α molecule on their surfaces and studied receptors for interleukins, i.e., IL-2R, IL-3R, IL-6R, and TNF-αR. These results indicate a key role for TNF-α and its receptor within the cytokine system in the course of the inflammatory reaction in burn wounds.