title: The role of cytokines in Henoch Schonlein purpura.
abstract: Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin(IL-1) were studied in 20 HSP patients, in the acute phase and after remission, by ELISA technique. Skin biopsies obtained during the acute phase both from a lesion and from unaffected skin, as well as during remission, were immunostained for TNF, IL-1, and IL-6. The mean age of the patients was 9.8 (5-13). Mean serum TNF levels during the acute phase and remission were 14.0 +/- 8.9 pg/ml, and 6.8 +/- 2.4 pg/ml, respectively (p < 0.05). Serum TNF levels in patients with renal involvement (18.8 +/- 10.2 pg/ml) were significantly higher than in those without (10.8 +/- 6.5 pg/ml) (p < 0.05). Serum levels of IL-1 in the acute phase and remission were undetectable. All specimens showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Immunohistochemical studies revealed TNF, and a less intense IL-1 and IL-6 staining in the nucleated epidermal layer, with a granular, intracellular pattern. Staining was significantly increased in the affected skin during the acute phase. These results suggest that TNF, IL-1, and IL-6 may play a role as a mediator of inflammation in HSP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Rheumatology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Besbas
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Saatci
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruacan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sungur
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bakkaloglu
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Elnahas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha