Circulating cytokine profile in anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmatic autoantibody-associated vasculitis: prediction of outcome?
OBJECTIVE
The anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmatic autoantibody-associated vasculitides (AASV) are diseases of relapsing-remitting inflammation. Here we explore the cytokine profile in different phases of disease, looking for pathogenic clues of possible prognostic value.


RESULTS
Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were significantly elevated in plasma. Patients in the stable phase who subsequently developed adverse events had higher IL-8 values. Patients in the stable phase who relapsed within 3 months had lower IL-10 values and higher IL-6 levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with AASV have raised circulating cytokine levels compared with healthy controls, even during remission. Raised IL-8 seems associated with poor prognosis. Lower levels of IL-10 and higher levels of IL-6 herald a greater risk of relapse. Patients with systemic vasculitis in clinical remission have persistent disease activity, kept under control by inhibitory cytokines.
Ohlsson
Sophie
S
Department of Nephrology, Lund University, Sweden. Sophie.Ohlsson@njur.lu.se
Wieslander
Jörgen
J
Segelmark
Mårten
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood*; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D019798:Neopterin / Q000097:blood; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I / Q000097:blood; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000276:immunology*
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; C111835:CCL2 protein, human; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I; D019798:Neopterin