Soluble TNF-alpha receptor 2 produced by alternative splicing is paradoxically associated with markers of liver injury.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and insulin resistance play central roles in the pathogenesis of abnormal hepatocellular function. We evaluate the relationship between a novel serum DS-TNFR2 (an alternatively spliced soluble TNF-alpha receptor 2) isoform and parameters of liver health. Serum ALT, AST and GGT, insulin resistance, adiponectin and DS-TNFR2 isoform concentrations were measured in 492 subjects from two different Caucasian Spanish populations. We found a significant negative association between serum ALT and DS-TNFR2 levels in both populations (r=-0.269; p=0.002 and r=-0.152; p=0.01, respectively). DS-TNFR2 levels also correlated negatively with serum AST (r=-0.142; p=0.042) and GGT (r=-0.206; p=0.003) in population 1 and with AST (r=-0.127; p=0.038) in population 2. In multiple regression analysis models, serum DS-TNFR2 was shown to be an independent modulator of serum ALT activity after adjusting for sex, age, BMI, HOMA and adiponectin in both populations. These results suggest potential anti-inflammatory properties of this TNF-alpha receptor 2 isoform at the hepatic level.