Interleukin-2 in scleroderma: correlation of serum level with extent of skin involvement and disease duration.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether interleukin-2 has a role in the pathogenesis of scleroderma.


METHODS
Observe serum effect on the in-vitro growth of an interleukin-2-dependent cytotoxic T-cell line and determine serum level by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


METHODS
Outpatient rheumatology clinic of a university medical center.


METHODS
Sera were collected from 47 patients with scleroderma, 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 14 matched control subjects.


RESULTS
A significant mitogenic effect was observed in sera from patients with scleroderma of recent onset; a lower proliferative response was seen in rheumatoid sera. Matched control sera had no mitogenic activity. Sera from patients with scleroderma of recent onset supported the in-vitro growth of an interleukin-2-dependent cytotoxic T-cell line. Matched control sera had no similar mitogenic activity. Interleukin-2 was found in sera from 41 of 47 patients with scleroderma (204 +/- 356 U/mL, mean +/- SD), in 9 of 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (2.04 +/- 5.16), and in none of 14 matched control subjects. There was a positive correlation between serum level and the skin progression index (skin score/disease duration).


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of interleukin-2 in scleroderma sera strongly supports a role for T-cell activation in scleroderma. The association between serum levels and disease progression indicates that this T-cell process may participate in the progression of the disease.
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
M B
MB
Kahaleh
E C
EC
LeRoy
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D001681:Biological Assay; D002455:Cell Division; D002460:Cell Line; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000166:cytology; D013997:Time Factors
D007376:Interleukin-2; D008222:Lymphokines; C046147:interleukin 2 inhibitor