Interferon-γ (IFNγ), a double-edge sword that affects prognoses in critically ill patients: A prospective study

IF 3.6 3区医学 Q2 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Cytokine Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-12 DOI:10.1016/j.cyto.2026.157110

Guangjian Wang , Hui Lian , Hongmin Zhang , Xiaoting Wang , Shuyang Zhang , Xuefeng Ni

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Abnormal inflammatory responses and viral infections play a critical role in the pathogenesis of critical illnesses. Critically ill patients frequently develop multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), a key determinant of clinical outcomes and a marker of poor prognosis. Interferon-γ (IFNγ), an important inflammatory regulatory cytokine, may serve as a more accurate indicator of viral infection severity and holds potential as a predictor of MODS and prognosis in critically ill patients.

Purpose

To evaluate the association between IFNγ levels and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.

Methods

This prospective study, conducted from January 1 to May 31, 2023, at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, used data from electronic medical records to collect baseline characteristics, ICU parameters, laboratory tests, and clinical outcomes. MODS was diagnosed on the basis of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores. Generalized Additive Models were employed to explore linear and nonlinear associations, while survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

A total of 208 patients were analyzed. IFNγ levels demonstrated a significant positive linear correlation with MODS in both sepsis (odds ratio [OR] 1.041, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.962–1.126) and non-sepsis (OR 1.025, 95% CI: 0.907–1.157) subgroups (intergroup P < 0.001). The relationship between IFNγ levels and 28-day mortality followed a U-shaped curve, with a threshold of 5.3 ng/mL. In the sepsis subgroup, patients with low IFNγ levels exhibited poorer prognoses compared with those with high IFNγ levels (P = 0.021). No significant difference in prognosis was observed between procalcitonin (PCT) subgroups (P = 0.087). Among patients with elevated IFNγ levels, a positive correlation between PCT and 28-day mortality was identified (OR 1.098, 95% CI: 0.815–1.481).

Conclusion

IFNγ is strongly associated with MODS and prognosis in critically ill patients, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for predicting MODS occurrence and patient outcomes. These findings underscore the clinical value of IFNγ in critical care, providing a foundation for further research in this area.

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干扰素-γ (IFNγ)：影响危重患者预后的双刃剑：一项前瞻性研究

背景：异常的炎症反应和病毒感染在重大疾病的发病机制中起着至关重要的作用。危重患者经常出现多器官功能障碍综合征（MODS），这是临床结果的关键决定因素，也是预后不良的标志。干扰素-γ (IFNγ)是一种重要的炎症调节细胞因子，可以作为一种更准确的病毒感染严重程度的指标，并有可能作为危重患者MODS和预后的预测因子。目的：探讨IFNγ水平与危重患者临床结局的关系。方法：本前瞻性研究于2023年1月1日至5月31日在北京协和医院进行，使用电子病历数据收集基线特征、ICU参数、实验室检查和临床结果。MODS的诊断是基于顺序器官衰竭评估（SOFA）评分。采用广义加性模型来探索线性和非线性关联，而生存分析则使用Kaplan-Meier方法进行。结果：共分析208例患者。IFNγ水平在脓毒症（比值比[OR] 1.041, 95%可信区间[CI]: 0.962-1.126）和非脓毒症（比值比[OR] 1.025, 95% CI: 0.907-1.157）亚组（组间P）中均与MODS呈显著的线性正相关。结论：IFNγ与危重患者MODS和预后密切相关，突出了其作为预测MODS发生和患者预后的生物标志物的潜力。这些发现强调了IFNγ在重症监护中的临床价值，为该领域的进一步研究提供了基础。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Cytokine 医学-免疫学

CiteScore

7.60

自引率

2.60%

发文量

262

审稿时长

48 days

期刊介绍： The journal Cytokine has an open access mirror journal Cytokine: X, sharing the same aims and scope, editorial team, submission system and rigorous peer review. * Devoted exclusively to the study of the molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, immunology, genome-wide association studies, pathobiology, diagnostic and clinical applications of all known interleukins, hematopoietic factors, growth factors, cytotoxins, interferons, new cytokines, and chemokines, Cytokine provides comprehensive coverage of cytokines and their mechanisms of actions, 12 times a year by publishing original high quality refereed scientific papers from prominent investigators in both the academic and industrial sectors. We will publish 3 major types of manuscripts: 1) Original manuscripts describing research results. 2) Basic and clinical reviews describing cytokine actions and regulation. 3) Short commentaries/perspectives on recently published aspects of cytokines, pathogenesis and clinical results.