C K Wong1, E K Li, C Y Ho, C W Lam. 1. Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that the autoimmune phenomenon might be caused by an imbalance of T-helper cell (Th) cytokines. METHODS: We investigated the plasma concentrations of a novel pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokine, interleukin (IL)-18, and its inducer, IL-12, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and correlated them with the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). Plasma IL-18 and IL-12 concentrations of 40 SLE patients and 18 sex- and age-matched control subjects were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Plasma IL-18 and IL-12 concentrations were significantly higher in SLE patients than in control subjects [median (interquartile range): IL-18, 320.0 pg/ml (164.4-475.6 pg/ml) vs 130.1 pg/ml (57.8-202.4 pg/ml), P<0.001; IL-12, 143.3 pg/ml (39.4-247.2 pg/ml) vs. 84.7 pg/ml (29.3-140.1 pg/ml), P<0.001]. Increases in IL-18 concentration correlated positively and significantly with SLEDAI score (r = 0.449, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The novel cytokine IL-18 might play a crucial role in triggering the inflammatory processes in SLE.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that the autoimmune phenomenon might be caused by an imbalance of T-helper cell (Th) cytokines. METHODS: We investigated the plasma concentrations of a novel pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokine, interleukin (IL)-18, and its inducer, IL-12, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and correlated them with the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). Plasma IL-18 and IL-12 concentrations of 40 SLEpatients and 18 sex- and age-matched control subjects were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Plasma IL-18 and IL-12 concentrations were significantly higher in SLEpatients than in control subjects [median (interquartile range): IL-18, 320.0 pg/ml (164.4-475.6 pg/ml) vs 130.1 pg/ml (57.8-202.4 pg/ml), P<0.001; IL-12, 143.3 pg/ml (39.4-247.2 pg/ml) vs. 84.7 pg/ml (29.3-140.1 pg/ml), P<0.001]. Increases in IL-18 concentration correlated positively and significantly with SLEDAI score (r = 0.449, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The novel cytokine IL-18 might play a crucial role in triggering the inflammatory processes in SLE.
Authors: Paola Bossù; Detlef Neumann; Elda Del Giudice; Antonio Ciaramella; Isabelle Gloaguen; Giamila Fantuzzi; Charles A Dinarello; Emma Di Carlo; Piero Musiani; Pier Luigi Meroni; Gianfranco Caselli; Paolo Ruggiero; Diana Boraschi Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2003-11-13 Impact factor: 11.205