Implications of immunomodulatory interleukins for the hyperimmunoglobulinemia of Sjögren's syndrome.
A prospective study of 37 patients with pSS and 20 healthy controls was performed to analyze the differences in circulating levels of macrophage-derived and Th1/Th2 cytokines which could explain the hyperimmunoglobulinemia, characteristic of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12, gamma-interferon (gamma-INF) and IL-4 were analyzed by a sandwich immunoassay-based protein array system. When compared with the control group, higher levels of IL-6, IL-12 and IL-10 and a lower Th1/Th2 ratio, as demonstrated by the gamma-INF/IL-4 ratio, were detected in patients. The levels of IL-4 were notably higher in pSS patients with monoclonal gammopathy. Serum IL-4 and IL-10 levels and immunoglobulin G concentrations were significantly correlated. In conclusion, patients with pSS show a state of macrophage and T-lymphocyte activation with increased concentrations of cytokines implicated in the differentiation of B cells and secretion of immunoglobulins.
Girón-González
J A
JA
Internal Medicine Services, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain. joseantonio.giron@uca.es
Baturone
R
R
Soto
M J
MJ
Márquez
M
M
Macías
I
I
Montes de Oca
M
M
Medina
F
F
Chozas
N
N
García-Pérez
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006942:Hypergammaglobulinemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D040081:Protein Array Analysis; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007378:Interleukins