Elevated tear interleukin-6 levels in patients with Sjögren syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to investigate interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in the tear fluid and sera of patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS).


METHODS
Twelve patients with primary SS and 12 normal control subjects participated.


METHODS
Tear fluid and sera were obtained from the study and the control groups. Evaluation of tear fluid and sera IL-6 levels was done by using a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. All assays were carried out blindly with respect to diagnosis.


METHODS
Tear fluid IL-6 levels were measured.


RESULTS
The mean concentration (+/- standard error) of IL-6 in the tears of patients with SS was elevated significantly compared to that of normal control subjects (88.6+/-16.2 vs. 42.1+/-10.6 pg/ml; P < 0.05). No significant differences were noted in the serum IL-6 levels between the two groups. A significant correlation (r = 0.742, P = 0.006) was found between tear fluid IL-6 levels and the focus score of lip biopsy specimens in patients with SS.


CONCLUSIONS
Tear fluid IL-6 levels may serve as an important marker for tear gland involvement in SS.
Tishler
M
M
Department of Rheumatology, Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center and the Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, Israel.
Yaron
I
I
Geyer
O
O
Shirazi
I
I
Naftaliev
E
E
Yaron
M
M
D015415:Biomarkers; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D005136:Eye Proteins; D015850:Interleukin-6; C042434:tear proteins