OBJECTIVE: To determine serum soluble CD30 (sCD30) levels in patients with localized scleroderma. METHODS: Serum soluble CD30 levels were assayed by a sensitive ELISA in 55 patients with localized scleroderma, in 15 with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and in 20 healthy controls. RESULTS: Serum levels of sCD30 were significantly higher in patients with localized scleroderma than in healthy controls. Serum levels of sCD30 were correlated with the number of sclerotic lesions, the number of involved areas, levels of anti-histone antibody IgM, and levels of interleukin 6. sCD30 levels in sera from patients with SSc were also significantly higher than in healthy controls. CONCLUSION: These results suggest possible involvement of Th2 cells in the immunopathogenesis in localized scleroderma, and serum sCD30 levels may be helpful in following the outcome of the disease.
OBJECTIVE: To determine serum soluble CD30 (sCD30) levels in patients with localized scleroderma. METHODS: Serum soluble CD30 levels were assayed by a sensitive ELISA in 55 patients with localized scleroderma, in 15 with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and in 20 healthy controls. RESULTS: Serum levels of sCD30 were significantly higher in patients with localized scleroderma than in healthy controls. Serum levels of sCD30 were correlated with the number of sclerotic lesions, the number of involved areas, levels of anti-histone antibody IgM, and levels of interleukin 6. sCD30 levels in sera from patients with SSc were also significantly higher than in healthy controls. CONCLUSION: These results suggest possible involvement of Th2 cells in the immunopathogenesis in localized scleroderma, and serum sCD30 levels may be helpful in following the outcome of the disease.