Cytokines Produced by Lymphocytes in the Incompetent Great Saphenous Vein

The pathogenesis of chronic venous disease (CVD) remains unclear, but lately inflammation is suggested to have an important role in its development. This study is aimed at assessing cytokines released by lymphocytes in patients with great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence. In 34 patients exhibiting oscillatory flow (reflux) in GSV, blood was derived from the cubital vein and from the incompetent sapheno-femoral junction. In 12 healthy controls, blood was derived from the cubital vein. Lymphocyte culture with and without stimulation by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was performed. Interleukins (IL) 1 beta, 2, 4, 10, 12 (p70), and 17A; interleukin 1 receptor alpha (IL-1ra); tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha); interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma); and RANTES were assessed in culture supernatants by the Bio-Plex assay. In both stimulated and unstimulated samples, in the examined group, IL-1 beta and IFN-gamma had higher concentrations and RANTES had lower concentrations when compared to those in the control group. In the examined group, IL-4 and IL-17A had higher concentrations without stimulation and TNF-alpha had higher concentrations with stimulation. The GSV samples had higher IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 (p70), and IFN-gamma concentrations without stimulation and lower IL-2 and TNF-alpha concentrations with stimulation when compared to those of the upper limb in the examined group. These observations indicate that the oscillatory flow present in incompetent veins causes changes in the cytokine production by lymphocytes, promoting a proinflammatory profile. However, the relations between immunological cells, cytokines, and the endothelium require more insight.