Disease severity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus correlates with an increased ratio of interleukin-10:interferon-gamma-secreting cells in the peripheral blood.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the phenotype and frequency of cells that actively secrete type 1 and type 2 cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (n = 46), versus normal controls (n = 60).


METHODS
ELISPOT analysis of freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).


RESULTS
T cells were the major source of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and interferon gamma (IFN gamma), whereas monocytes were the primary source of IL-6 and IL-10 in the PB of lupus patients. Significantly fewer PBMC spontaneously secreted IFN gamma and IL-2 (P > or = 0.03), while significantly more PBMC produced IL-6 and IL-10 (P < 0.001), in lupus patients versus controls. Disease severity in lupus patients correlated with an elevated ratio of IL-1O:IFN gamma-secreting cells (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
SLE is characterized by an imbalance in the ratio of type 1:type 2 cytokine-secreting PBMC.
Hagiwara
E
E
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Gourley
M F
MF
Lee
S
S
Klinman
D K
DK
D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma