The Correlation between Increased Serum Concentrations of Interleukin-6 Family Cytokines and Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.
10.3349/ymj.2011.52.1.113
- Author:
Soo Jin CHUNG
1
;
Yong Jin KWON
;
Min Chan PARK
;
Yong Beom PARK
;
Soo Kon LEE
Author Information
1. Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute for Immunology and Immunologic Disease, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. sookonlee@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Rheumatoid arthritis;
interleukin-6 family cytokines;
interleukin-6;
interleukin-11;
leukemia inhibitory factor
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/*blood;
C-Reactive Protein/analysis;
Cytokines/*blood;
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay;
Female;
Humans;
Interleukin-11/blood;
Interleukin-6/*blood;
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor/blood;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Young Adult
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2011;52(1):113-120
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine whether the serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokines are elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the relationship between IL-6 family cytokine levels and disease activity in RA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained serum samples from 40 patients with RA and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, and we assessed the clinical parameters of disease activity, including the 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Serum samples from five patients with high disease activity (DAS28 > 5.1) were also collected at the eighth week of treatment. Serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-11, and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Serum concentrations of IL-6 family cytokines, including IL-6, IL-11, and LIF, were significantly elevated in patients with RA compared to those of healthy controls. Although there was no significant relationship between IL-6 family cytokine levels and DAS28, the IL-6 levels of patients with RA showed a significant correlation with CRP levels. After eight weeks of medical treatment in patients with high disease activity, a decrease in DAS28 was associated with a significant decrease in the serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-11. CONCLUSION: The serum concentrations of IL-6 family cytokines were significantly elevated in patients with RA, and they decreased with medical treatment. These findings suggest a possible role for IL-6 family cytokines in the pathogenesis of RA.
