title: Serum interleukin-6 levels in the steady state of sickle cell disease.
abstract: In patients with childhood sickle cell disease (SCD) serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured during the steady (healthy) state of disease. The corresponding measurements were made in comparable healthy normal controls. Serum IL-6 levels were assessed via ELISA in 27 SCD patients and 19 controls. Results revealed significantly higher circulating levels of IL-6 in the SCD patients (60 +/- 7 pg/ml) compared with the healthy controls (12 +/- 5 pg/ml). IL-6 is a multifunctional cytokine that plays a central role in host defense mechanisms. The impact of high circulating levels of IL-6 may be deleterious to humoral and cell-mediated immune functions in SCD, with resultant heightened risk for morbidity.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA.
authors: S C
authors: SC
authors: Taylor
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Shacks
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Mitchell
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Banks
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6