title: High interleukin-6 serum levels and increased production by leucocytes in alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Correlation with IgA serum levels and lymphokines production.
abstract: Hypergammaglobulinaemia and enhanced serum IgA levels are common in alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is identical to B cell differentiation factor BSF2 and is implicated in various autoimmune diseases, has been studied in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Increased serum levels and spontaneous or induced production of IL-6 by peripheral blood monoclonal cells have been found. IL-6 production correlates closely with IgA serum levels and negatively with impaired interleukin-2 and interferon gamma production. This abnormality could be related to overproduction of immunoglobulins and immune disturbances observed in this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Erasme Hospital, Brussels Free University, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deviere
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Content
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Denys
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vandenbussche
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schandene
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wybran
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dupont
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000276:immunology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins; D008222:Lymphokines; D007371:Interferon-gamma