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HelpTest Code TH1CP T-Helper Cell Type 1 Cytokine Panel, Plasma
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL Plasma
Collection Instructions:
1. Immediately after specimen collection, place the tube on wet ice.
2. Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge at 4° C, 1500 x g for 10 minutes and aliquot plasma into a plastic vial.
3. Freeze immediately.
Additional Information:
1. Plasma for this test cannot be shared with other tests. Submit specimen for this test in its own vial.
2. This test cannot be added onto a previously collected specimen.
3. If a refrigerated centrifuge is not available, it is acceptable to use a room temperature centrifuge, provided the sample is kept on ice before centrifugation and is frozen immediately afterward.
Secondary ID
624117Useful For
Assessment of T-helper cell type 1-associated cytokines levels in plasma to understand the etiology of autoimmune and pro-inflammatory conditions when used in conjunction with clinical information and other laboratory testing
Profile Information
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFNGP | Interferon Gamma, P | No | Yes |
| IL12P | Interleukin 12p70, P | No | Yes |
| IL2P | Interleukin 2, P | No | Yes |
| TNFP | Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, P | No | Yes |
| SILRP | IL-2 Receptor Alpha Soluble, P | Yes | Yes |
Method Name
Immunoassay
Reporting Name
Th1 Cytokine Panel, PSpecimen Type
Plasma EDTASpecimen Minimum Volume
Plasma: 0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma EDTA | Frozen | 14 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
| Heat-treated specimen | Reject |
Clinical Information
Cytokines are important mediators of cell-to-cell communication within the innate and adaptive immune systems. The expression of most cytokines is highly regulated and generally occurs in response to foreign or self-antigenic stimulation. The functions of cytokines are extremely varied, with many cytokines also displaying pleiotropic effects, depending on their cellular target. As a group, cytokines and their receptors represent a highly complex and critical regulatory system for normal immune response.
T-helper cell type 1-associated cytokines, including interleukin (IL) 2, IL-12p70, interferon gamma (IFNg) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) reflect cell mediated immunity and may be useful when evaluating the etiology of immune-mediated disorders. For example, IFNg is the central driver of several hyperinflammatory states including hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS).(1-4) The pathogenic role of IFNg is demonstrated by the efficacy of emapalumab, an IFNg-neutralizing antibody approved for HLH, with response monitored through IFNg and downstream effectors.(5) Additionally, soluble cytokine receptors provide alternative readouts of immune activation. For example, soluble IL-2 receptor alpha (sIL-2R/sCD25), produced by proteolytic cleavage of the membrane-bound receptor during T-cell activation, is incorporated into the diagnostic criteria for HLH as one of eight criteria and, together with IFNg, supports diagnosis and treatment monitoring.(2)
Beyond hyperinflammation, sIL-2R is a clinically established marker in other T-cell driven and granulomatous conditions such as sarcoidosis and lymphoproliferative disorders, such as T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.(6,7) More broadly, Th1 cytokines are associated with a range of immune-mediated diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, where TNFa and IL-12/23 are validated therapeutic targets, and systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.(8)
Reference Values
INTERFERON GAMMA:
<18 years: Not established
≥18 years: ≤2.5 pg/mL
INTERLEUKIN 12p70:
<18 years: Not established
≥18 years: <1.5 pg/mL
INTERLEUKIN 2:
<18 years: Not established
≥18 years: <2.0 pg/mL
TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA:
<18 years: Not established
≥18 years: ≤11.8 pg/mL
SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN 2 RECEPTOR ALPHA:
<18 years: Not established
≥18 years: ≤1929 pg/mL
Interpretation
Elevated cytokine concentrations could be consistent with the presence of infection or another inflammatory process.
Cautions
Results from cytokine testing should not be used to establish or exclude a specific diagnosis.
Cytokine testing should only be used in conjunction with clinical information and other laboratory testing as part of a patient's overall assessment.
Normal concentrations of cytokines do not exclude the possibility of infection or another inflammatory condition.
Cytokine concentrations could be affected by immunomodulatory agents.
Clinical Reference
1. La Rosee P, La Rosee F. HLH: diagnostics revisited and improved. Blood. 2024;144(22):2274-2275. doi:10.1182/blood.2024026243
2. Henter JI, Horne A, Arico M, et al. HLH-2004: Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2007;48(2):124-131. doi:10.1002/pbc.21039
3. Henter JI, Sieni E, Eriksson J, et al. Diagnostic guidelines for familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis revisited. Blood. 2024;144(22):2308-2318. doi:10.1182/blood.2024025077
4. Bracaglia C, de Graaf K, Pires Marafon D, et al. Elevated circulating levels of interferon-g and interferon-g-induced chemokines characterise patients with macrophage activation syndrome complicating systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76(1):166-172. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-209020
5. Al-Mashdali AF, Mohamed F, Osman M, et al. Real-world use of emapalumab in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a scoping review of published evidence. Front Pharmacol. 2026;17:1749084. doi:10.3389/fphar.2026.1749084
6. Eurelings LEM, Miedema JR, Dalm V, et al. Sensitivity and specificity of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor for diagnosing sarcoidosis in a population of patients suspected of sarcoidosis. PLoS One. 2019;14(10):e0223897. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0223897
7. Shiratori S, Kosugi-Kanaya M, Shigematsu A, et al. Ultra-high level of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor at diagnosis predicts poor outcome for angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma. 2015;56(9):2592-2597. doi:10.3109/10428194.2014.1001985
8. Zhang X, Feng R, Wang Y, et al. Low dose IL-2 therapy restores regulatory T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in a dose-dependent manner: a phase IIb trial. Nat Commun. 2026;17(1):5493 doi:10.1038/s41467-026-72245-7
Method Description
Measurements of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor, interferon gamma, interleukin (IL) 2, soluble IL-2 receptor alpha, and IL-12p70 are performed using laboratory-developed immunoassays.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Day(s) Performed
Thursday
Report Available
2 to 8 daysSpecimen Retention Time
14 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
83520 x5
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| TH1CP | Th1 Cytokine Panel, P | 82335-1 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| IFNGP | Interferon Gamma, P | 27415-9 |
| TNFP | Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, P | 3074-2 |
| SILRP | IL-2 Receptor Alpha Soluble, P | 76039-7 |
| IL12P | Interleukin 12p70, P | 41760-0 |
| IL2P | Interleukin 2, P | 33939-0 |