Circulating interleukin 1 beta and soluble interleukin 2 receptor: evaluation as markers of disease activity in scleroderma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether circulating levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) or soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) reflect clinical disease status and response to therapy in scleroderma.


METHODS
Plasma IL-1 beta and serum sIL-2R were measured by ELISA in 19 patients with limited cutaneous scleroderma (9 with extraesophageal internal organ involvement), 5 patients with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma and internal organ involvement, and 11 healthy controls, as well as serially over 12 months in 4 patients with scleroderma treated with cyclosporine.


RESULTS
IL-1 beta levels were similar in scleroderma and control subject groups. sIL-2R levels were significantly higher in subjects with scleroderma involving internal organs (elevated in 93%), and correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate. sIL-2R levels decreased over 12 months in 2 of 4 patients taking cyclosporine in whom other variables remained unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated serum sIL-2R is a marker of internal organ involvement in scleroderma and warrants further investigation in assessing disease prognosis and response to therapy.
Patrick
M R
MR
Burnet Clinical Research Unit, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia.
Kirkham
B W
BW
Graham
M
M
Harrision
L C
LC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012995:Solubility
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D016572:Cyclosporine