Serum concentration of interleukin-18 is up-regulated in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis.
We investigated circulating interleukin-18 concentrations in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (ASV) and healthy control subjects, and included a group of hemodialysis patients, a patient group previously reported to show high IL-18 plasma levels. Anti-proteinase 3 (PR3) and anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) serum levels were also measured. Interestingly we found significantly increased serum IL-18 concentrations in ASV patients as compared to healthy controls, 437 vs. 185 pg/ml (p < 0.0001). The increase of IL-18 production was similar irrespective of presence of autoantibodies to PR3 or MPO. As expected the hemodialysis patients also showed significantly increased circulating IL-18 concentrations as compared to control subjects.
Hultgren
O
O
Department of Clinical Immunology, Sahlgren's University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. olof.hultgren@immuno.gu.se
Andersson
B
B
Hahn-Zoric
M
M
Almroth
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053146:Myeloblastin / Q000276:immunology; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D020382:Interleukin-18; D009195:Peroxidase; D053146:Myeloblastin