LAUSR

Abstract Background Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is the stable local dilatation of abdominal aorta. AAA is an inflammatory condition in which cytokines may play a pathogenic role. Methods Peripheral Blood Mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 5 men, with confirmed diagnosis of AAA and aortic dilation greater than 5.5 cm, and 5 men with normal/insignificant angiography, CT-Scan and Ultrasonography results. The supernatant of PBMCs, rested overnight in RPMI containing 10%-FBS, removed to measure IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, IFN-γ and TNF-α using a commercial fluorescent-labeled bead assay. Results The mean serum IL-6 and IL-9 levels were significantly higher in patients than controls (P = 0.007 and P = 0.007, respectively). PBMCs from patients produced lower levels of IL-6 and IL-9 compared to controls but the differences were not significant. While serum TNF-α level was not different between groups, its production by PBMCs of patients was significantly lower than controls (P = 0.047). The mean serum levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ in patients were marginally higher than controls (P = 0.055, P = 0.055, respectively). Mean serum IL-2 level was not different between the groups but its production by PBMCs of patients was significantly higher than the control group (P = 0.047). Conclusions Our study showed alteration in the levels of cytokines from inflammatory, Th1, Th2 and Th17 subtypes in the sera of patients with AAA. The production of IL-6, IL-9, IFN-γ and IL-10, however, was not solely attributed to the PBMCs. Therefore, participation of other cells in the tissue or blood should be considered in their production.