The regulation of neopterin production by cytokines

Abstract

While cytokines are produced by various cells; T cells, B cells, NK cells, monocytes, vascular endothelial cells, neutrophils, and fibroblasts, neopterin is a substance of which production is limited to monocytes, B cells, kidney epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells. Serum neopterin levels correlate well with the activation of circulating monocytes and reticuloendothelial system including vascular endothelial cells and macrophages in tissue. In the diagnosis of diseases and in the elucidation of their pathophysiology, neopterin determination appears to be a powerful and useful tool to assess the activation of monocyte lineage cells.