Interleukin 6 levels in synovial fluids of patients with different arthritides: correlation with local IgM rheumatoid factor and systemic acute phase protein production.
Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine particularly active in regulation of the acute phase response, governs the terminal maturation of B lymphocytes and participates in early activation of T cells. IL-6 levels of synovial fluids of 153 patients with different arthritides were measured by a simple sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Highest IL-6 concentrations were detected in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly in those characterized by very active general symptoms and severe joint pain. High IL-6 levels were detected in patients with juvenile RA with polyarticular onset of disease and in gout. Corresponding to the suggested in vivo relevance of IL-6, dose correlation of IL-6 levels with the synovial IgM rheumatoid factor accumulation was demonstrated. The rate of the correlation between synovial IL-6 level and concentration of serum C-reactive protein in RA was inversely proportional to the dose of steroid treatment in patients with RA.
Brozik
M
M
Department of Immunology, National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary.
Rosztóczy
I
I
Merétey
K
K
Bálint
G
G
Gaál
M
M
Balogh
Z
Z
Bart
M
M
Mituszova
M
M
Velics
V
V
Falus
A
A
D001168:Arthritis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor