Preoperative GATA3 mRNA Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells is Up-Regulated in Patients With Postoperative Infection Following Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery

BackgroundAggressive hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery has been associated with high complication rates. Correlations of Th1/Th2 balance and toll-like receptor (TLR) 2/4 expression with postoperative infection following surgery were prospectively evaluated.MethodsPlasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, soluble lymphocyte activation gene (sLAG)-3, and soluble CD30 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and expression levels of T-bet, GATA-3, TLR2, and TLR4 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction perioperatively in 56 consecutive patients who underwent hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery.ResultsOf the 56 patients, 30 patients had postoperative infection. Postoperative plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly higher in patients with postoperative infection than in those without infection (P < 0.05). Plasma soluble CD30 level and GATA-3 mRNA expression level were significantly higher preoperatively, and remained higher by postoperative d 7 in patients with postoperative infection (P < 0.05). Soluble lymphocyte activation gene levels were not significantly different between the two groups. T-bet mRNA expression level was significantly higher on postoperative d 3, 7, and 14 in patients with postoperative infection (P < 0.05). Preoperative expression levels of GATA-3 mRNA correlated significantly with those of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese results suggest that in patients with postoperative infection, Th1/Th2 balance shifts toward Th2 dominance preoperatively.