Neopterin can be used a reliable marker for assessing the degree of TH1 mediated immune activation.
The mechanism of neopterin release in short:
- An activated TH1 cell stimulates the cytokine, 'interferon-gamma';
- This stimulates BH4 synthesis (leading to NO synthesis);
- Which triggers the release of neopterin from macrophages.
Interferon-gamma is the only cytokine that directly stimulates neopterin release but other cytokines can indirectly amplify neopterin formation through TH1 stimulation. Neopterin is a stable molecule, its half life in the body govened by renal excretion, so it is a reliable marker for the degree of TH1 immune activation.
More information:
- http://www.metametrix.com/files/learning-center/articles/Neopterin-Biopterin.pdf
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neopterin
- http://www.neopterin.net/neopterin_e.pdf
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