Cytokines and adhesion molecules in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica.
Serum levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble E-selectin were measured in 15 patients with newly diagnosed polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) before and after 3 months of corticosteroid therapy. Both IL-6 and IL-1ra were significantly increased in untreated PMR and remained elevated compared with controls during therapy, although significantly only for sIL-1ra. sICAM-1 was raised in 12/15 (87%) patients at diagnosis and remained high in 10/14 (71%) patients; soluble E-selectin levels were initially raised in 6/15 (40%) patients and decreased with therapy in those with the highest levels. IL-6, IL-1ra and sICAM-1 are sensitive indicators of continuing immunological activation in PMR; the advantages of these markers in assessing the response to therapy should be investigated in a longitudinal study.
Uddhammar
A
A
Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Northern Sweden, Umeå.
Sundqvist
K G
KG
Ellis
B
B
Rantapää-Dahlqvist
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000097:blood*; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D011239:Prednisolone