Serum interleukin-6 levels in the steady state of sickle cell disease.

In patients with childhood sickle cell disease (SCD) serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured during the steady (healthy) state of disease. The corresponding measurements were made in comparable healthy normal controls. Serum IL-6 levels were assessed via ELISA in 27 SCD patients and 19 controls. Results revealed significantly higher circulating levels of IL-6 in the SCD patients (60 +/- 7 pg/ml) compared with the healthy controls (12 +/- 5 pg/ml). IL-6 is a multifunctional cytokine that plays a central role in host defense mechanisms. The impact of high circulating levels of IL-6 may be deleterious to humoral and cell-mediated immune functions in SCD, with resultant heightened risk for morbidity.