title: Ex vivo PBMC cytokine profile in familial Mediterranean fever patients: Involvement of IL-1β, IL-1α and Th17-associated cytokines and decrease of Th1 and Th2 cytokines.
abstract: In order to clarify the inflammatory mechanism underlying familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), we aimed to evaluate the ex vivo cytokine profile of FMF patients during acute attacks and attack-free periods, and compare it with that of healthy controls. The study included 34 FMF patients, of whom 9 were studied during attack and remission and 24 healthy controls. Cytokine levels were evaluated by Luminex technology in serum and supernatants of PBMC (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells) cultures with and without 24h stimulation of monocytes by LPS and T lymphocytes by anti-CD3/CD28 beads. Levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in unstimulated and LPS-stimulated PBMC supernatants of FMF patients in crises compared to controls. In response to LPS stimulation, higher levels of IL-1β and IL-1α were found in PBMC supernatants of patients during crises compared to those in remission and to controls. IFN-γ and IL-4 levels were the lowest in unstimulated and anti-CD3/CD28 stimulated PBMCs supernatants of patients during crises compared to remission and controls. The Th17 cytokines IL-17 and IL-22 were respectively higher in anti-CD3/CD28 stimulated PBMC supernatants of FMF patients during and between crises compared to controls. Amongst cytokines tested in serum, only IL-6 and TNFα were enhanced in FMF patients. The ex vivo study represents an interesting approach to evaluate cytokines' involvement in FMF. Our results suggest an ongoing subclinical inflammation and define an elevated inflammatory cytokine signature, distinctly for M694V homozygous patients. The absence of spontaneous IL-1β release by PBMCs reflects no constitutive activation of the inflammasome in FMF physiopathology.
authors.affiliation: ER030-EDST, Faculty of Sciences II, Lebanese University, Fanar, BP 90656 Jdeidet El Metn, Lebanon; Laboratoire Inflammation, Tissus Epithéliaux et Cytokines (LITEC), EA4331, University and Hospital of Poitiers, 86022 Poitiers, France. Electronic address: jose.noel.ibrahim@univ-poitiers.fr.
authors.forename: José-Noel
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: ER030-EDST, Faculty of Sciences II, Lebanese University, Fanar, BP 90656 Jdeidet El Metn, Lebanon. Electronic address: rjounblat@ul.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Rania
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jounblat
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Inflammation, Tissus Epithéliaux et Cytokines (LITEC), EA4331, University and Hospital of Poitiers, 86022 Poitiers, France. Electronic address: adriana.delwail@univ-poitiers.fr.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delwail
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, BP 17-5208 Mar Mikhael, Beirut 1104 2020, Lebanon. Electronic address: joelle.aboughoch@usj.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Joelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abou-Ghoch
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, BP 17-5208 Mar Mikhael, Beirut 1104 2020, Lebanon. Electronic address: nabiha.salem@usj.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Nabiha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, BP 17-5208 Mar Mikhael, Beirut 1104 2020, Lebanon. Electronic address: eliane.chouery@usj.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Eliane
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chouery
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, BP 17-5208 Mar Mikhael, Beirut 1104 2020, Lebanon. Electronic address: megarbane@usj.edu.lb.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Megarbane
authors.affiliation: ER030-EDST, Faculty of Sciences II, Lebanese University, Fanar, BP 90656 Jdeidet El Metn, Lebanon. Electronic address: myrnahachem@ul.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Myrna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Medlej-Hashim
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Inflammation, Tissus Epithéliaux et Cytokines (LITEC), EA4331, University and Hospital of Poitiers, 86022 Poitiers, France. Electronic address: jean-claude.lecron@univ-poitiers.fr.
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lecron
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha / Q000097:blood*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000071198:Pyrin; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; C000604192:MEFV protein, human; D000071198:Pyrin
keywords: Cytokine; Ex vivo; FMF; Inflammasome; PBMC