Interleukin-10 receptor expression in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to determine the expression of the interleukin-10 receptor (IL10R) on circulating leukocytes in SLE and rheumatoid arthritis, and correlate this with plasma IL-10 levels and disease activity.


METHODS
Peripheral blood was sampled from 20 SLE patients, 14 rheumatoid arthritis patients, and 14 healthy controls. IL-10R expression was determined by immunofluorescence labelling and flow cytometric analysis. Plasma IL-10 levels were measured by ELISA.


RESULTS
IL-10R was highly expressed on monocytes, and to a lesser degree on neutrophils in all 3 patient groups. Only a small percentage of lymphocytes expressed IL-10R in all three groups. There was no significant difference in IL-10R expression on the surface of monocytes, neutrophils or lymphocytes in any of the 3 groups. IL-10R expression did not correlate with plasma IL-10 levels or disease activity.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown no difference in surface IL-10R expression between SLE, rheumatoid arthritis and normal subjects. Deficient or excessive circulating leukocyte surface IL-10R expression therefore does not seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE or rheumatoid arthritis. Functional IL-10R studies would be of interest.
Cairns
A P
AP
Queen's University, Muskuloskeletal Education and Research Unit, Department of Rheumatology, Musgrave Park Hospital, Stockman's Lane, Belfast BT9 7JB, Northern Ireland, UK. andrewcairns@doctors.org.uk
Crockard
A D
AD
Bell
A L
AL
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000097:blood*; D053701:Receptors, Interleukin-10; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053701:Receptors, Interleukin-10