Cytokine concentration in serum of lupus erythematosus patients: the effect on acute phase response.

In order to get a better insight into cytokine network regulation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we analyzed levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the sera from 36 SLE patients. Moreover, C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein (AGP), and alpha-1-antichymotripsin (ACT) serum levels were evaluated. Serum levels of IL-10 and IL-6 were significantly increased when compared with healthy controls. TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma did not differ from normal values. We established the relationship between IL-10 and IL-6 as well as between IL-10 and TNF-alpha. None of the analyzed cytokines correlated with the acute phase protein levels. Based on the obtained data, we conclude that IL-10 may play the superior regulating role in SLE. A lack of correlation between the cytokines and acute phase proteins suggests their independence from cytokine regulation.