Elevation of proinflammatory cytokine (IL-18, IL-17, IL-12) and Th2 cytokine (IL-4) concentrations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Previous studies have indicated that the autoimmune phenomenon might be caused by an imbalance of T helper cell (Th) cytokines. We measured the plasma concentrations of three novel proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-17, IL-18, IL-12 and a key Th2 cytokine IL-4 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and correlated the ratio of proinflammatory/Th2 cytokines with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). Plasma IL-12, IL-17, IL-18 and IL-4 concentrations of 36 SLE patients and 18 sex- and age-matched control subjects were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. All were significantly higher in SLE patients than control subjects (IL-12, mean+/-s.d. of 166.7+/-84.5 vs 93.5+/-39.2 pg/ml, P<0.001; IL-17, 76.5+/-45.7 vs 37.6+/-35.3 pg/ml, P=0.002; IL-18, 368.7+/-199. 5 vs 141.1+/-47.1 pg/ml, P<0.001; and IL-4, 27.1+/-15.3 vs 17.3+/-7. 2 pg/ml, P<0.05), and IL-18/IL-4 ratio correlated positively and significantly with SLEDAI score (r=0.435, P=0.006). We propose that SLE is characterized by an elevation of both Th1 and Th2 cytokines: the elevation of proinflammatory cytokine IL-12, IL-17 and IL-18 may trigger the inflammatory process in SLE and the elevation of IL-18/IL-4 ratio suggests an imbalance of cytokine profile to mediate the inflammatory response.
Wong
C K
CK
Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
Ho
C Y
CY
Li
E K
EK
Lam
C W
CW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D020381:Interleukin-17; D020382:Interleukin-18; D007378:Interleukins; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4