Circulating soluble CTLA-4 is related to inflammatory markers in the 70 year old population

Objective. Measurement of inflammatory mediators is an important tool to assess inflammation. We have, therefore, conducted a survey within the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study to evaluate the inter-relationship between soluble CTLA-4 (sCTLA-4) and other inflammatory markers. Materials and Methods. This is a population-based study, designed to quantify the circulating serum levels of sCTLA-4 and other inflammatory markers such as CRP and pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by in-house ELISA, Immuno-turbidimetry and multiplex ELISA, respectively. A total of 1016 Swedish Caucasians aged 70 years old were recruited. The statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. Results. The levels of sCTLA-4 were directly related to the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and chemokines such as IL-8. However, the levels of sCTLA-4 were inversely related to the levels of MCP-1. Also, we could not demonstrate any relation between the levels of sCTLA-4 and CRP or soluble adhesion molecules. Conclusions. Circulating sCTLA-4 could be used as a biomarker for inflammation, potentially reflecting dysregulated T lymphocytes.