In their study, the cut-off level for a low risk of complications was not specified, while the original MASCC score documentation [1] suggested a score ≥21 to be consistent with a low risk. Uys
et al. [36] underlined that PCT is the laboratory parameter that shows the strongest correlation with the MASCC score. Therefore, the most important clinical benefit of following PCT concentrations in these patients is the high negative predictive value (90–100%) of a test result <0.5 μg/l [5, 6, 28, 37]. This, however, should never prevent the clinician from starting adequate broad-spectrum antibiotic chemotherapy in febrile neutropenic patients. On the other hand, an initial high PCT concentration, suggesting a possible bacteraemia, could indicate a need for other preventive measures like starting G-CSF therapy to make the febrile neutropenic episode as short as possible. Merete Landstad, BRAHMS Diagnostica, PCI-32765 in vivo provided free test reagents for the PCT analyses. The Norwegian Radium Hospital Research Fund sponsored the Bioplex cytokine assay kits. Anne Pharo and Anne Brunsvig are greatly acknowledged for excellent technical assistance.
No specific funding has been received except for the two following statements: Merete Landstad, BRAHMS Diagnostica, provided free test reagents for the Selleck CHIR 99021 PCT analyses. The Norwegian Radium Hospital Research Fund sponsored the Bioplex cytokine assay kits. All the authors contributed to the planning of the study, the clinical and laboratory analyses or writing and revising the manuscript. None to declare. “
“We identified CD8+ CD122+ regulatory T cells (CD8+ CD122+ Treg cells) and reported their importance in maintaining immune homeostasis. The absence of CD8+ CD122+ Treg cells has been shown to lead to severe systemic autoimmunity in several mouse models, including inflammatory bowel diseases and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The T-cell receptors (TCRs) expressed on CD8+ CD122+ Treg cells recognize the target cells to be regulated. To aid in the identification of the target IMP dehydrogenase antigen(s) recognized by TCRs of CD8+ CD122+ Treg cells, we compared the TCR diversity of CD8+ CD122+ T cells with that of conventional, naive T cells
in mice. We analysed the use of TCR-Vβ in the interleukin 10-producing population of CD8+ CD122+ T cells marked by high levels of CD49d expression, and found the significantly increased use of Vβ13 in these cells. Immunoscope analysis of the complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) of the TCR β-chain revealed remarkable skewing in a pair of Vβ regions, suggesting the existence of clonally expanded cells in CD8+ CD122+ T cells. Clonal expansion in Vβ13+ cells was confirmed by determining the DNA sequences of the CDR3s. The characteristic TCR found in this study is an important building block for further studies to identify the target antigen recognized by CD8+ CD122+ Treg cells. Regulatory T (Treg) cells have been intensively studied in the field of immunology.