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Serum levels of interleukin-1b, tumour necrosis factor-a and interleukin-2 in rheumatoid arthritis. Correlation with disease activity

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Summary

Cytokines are potent immunoregulatory factors and may be directly involved in the disordered immunoregulation found in chronic rheumatic diseases. Interleukin-1b (IL-1b), Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Tumour Necrosis Factor-a (TNF-a) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as mediators of chronic inflammation. Serum levels of IL-1b and TNF-a measured by radioimmunoassay were significantly higher in patients with RA than in healthy controls of similar sex and age while serum levels of IL-2 were significantly lower in the same patients. Further IL-1b and TNF-a were significantly elevated in RA patients with active disease and IL-2 was significantly reduced when compared with patients with low active disease. Serum IL-1b and TNF-a appear to correlate with systemic inflammation, and systemic features of RA may result from dissemination of cytokines produced in the synovium. The role of IL-2 in RA remains controversial. Reduced levels of IL-2 may be an expression of a deficiency of T-cells to produce IL-2 in the active phases of RA or may be due to a possible absorption of IL-2 by lymphocyte receptors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Clinica Medica, Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Gemelli, 8, 00168, Roma, Italy

    L. Altomonte, A. Zoli, L. Mirone, P. Scolieri & M. Magaró

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  1. L. Altomonte
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  2. A. Zoli
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  4. P. Scolieri
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  5. M. Magaró
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Altomonte, L., Zoli, A., Mirone, L. et al. Serum levels of interleukin-1b, tumour necrosis factor-a and interleukin-2 in rheumatoid arthritis. Correlation with disease activity. Clin Rheumatol 11, 202–205 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02207957

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02207957

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