In vitro type-1 and type-2 cytokine production in systemic lupus erythematosus: lack of relationship with clinical disease activity.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between disease activity and in vitro cytokine, soluble(s)CD23 and polyclonal and anti-DNA antibody production by PBMC from patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
Cytokines, sCD23 and immunoglobulins were estimated by ELISA in unstimulated and polyclonal mitogen-stimulated culture supernatants.


RESULTS
PHA-induced IL-2 and IFN-gamma production were decreased, whereas spontaneous and PHA-induced IL-6 and IL-10 production were increased in cultures of SLE lymphocytes. Conversely, spontaneous and PHA-stimulated IL-4 and sCD23 production was comparable between patients and controls. Finally, we found an increase in in vitro spontaneous polyclonal and anti-DNA IgG secretion.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated an expanded type-2 cytokine profile with no correlation with parameters of disease activity.
Barcellini
W
W
Institute of Internal Medicine, Immunopathology and Infectious Diseases, University of Milan, Italy.
Rizzardi
G P
GP
Borghi
M O
MO
Nicoletti
F
F
Fain
C
C
Del Papa
N
N
Meroni
P L
PL
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012016:Reference Values
D015703:Antigens, CD; D001323:Autoantibodies; D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D004247:DNA