Lack of association of HLA-DR4 with interleukin 1 beta secretion from peripheral blood monocytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The possible association between HLA-DR4 and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) secretion from peripheral blood monocytes was analyzed using 34 female patients, with definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA monocytes in serum-free medium or medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum secreted IL-1 spontaneously. The level of secretion was enhanced by stimulation with pyrogen-free type II collagen as determined by comparison with 30 healthy individuals matched for age and sex. No association between HLA-DR4 and spontaneous or stimulated IL-1 release from RA monocytes was observed.