Cytokine Levels in Serum of Patients with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

We investigated serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in JRA patients during both active and inactive phases of the disease. The systemic JRA patients had the highest IL-1beta and IL-6 levels during both active and inactive periods. In the systemic group IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-12 levels during the active period were elevated compared to the inactive period (p = 0.0173, p = 0.0359 and p = 0.0117, respectively). Levels of these cytokines during the inactive stage were still greater than those of controls. IL-8 and TNF-alpha levels during both active and inactive periods were comparable to controls. IL-1beta correlated strongly with CRP and ESR (p = 0.008 and p = 0.031, respectively). IL-6 correlated significantly with CRP (p = 0.002). IL-12 levels were found to be correlated with ESR and CRP (p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, respectively). In active polyarticular JRA patients, IL-6 levels were elevated compared to the inactive phase, and the control (p = 0.001) IL-12 levels decreased significantly with clinical remission (p = 0.018). There was a strong correlation between 11-12 levels and number of joint with limited motion (p = 0). In oligoarticular JRA patients, IL-12 levels during active period were greater than in the controls and there was a marked decrease in IL-12 levels when the patients entered the inactive phase (p = 0.001) In conclusion, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-12 may play an important role in JRA and may be used as a marker of disease activity.

Monitoring neutrophil activation in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis by S100A12 serum concentrations

“…The levels of soluble IL-2 receptor, soluble TNF␣ receptor, and IL-1 receptor antagonist are elevated in systemic-onset JRA, but the serum levels found in systemic-onset JRA are not substantially different from those found in other inflammatory disorders or in conditions such as systemic infections (48). Concentrations of IL-1␤, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, or TNF␣ so far do not allow differentiation between systemic-onset JRA and systemic infections (45). The high serum concentrations of S100A12 are not attributable to elevated numbers of circulating neutrophils, as demonstrated by the lack of correlation to blood neutrophil counts.…”

“…Systemic-onset JRA is an aggressive autoimmune disease with extensive activation of the innate immune system, likely influenced by an imbalance between proinflammatory cytokines and immune deactivators (44)(45)(46). It is interesting that analysis of S100A12 revealed significant differences between patients with systemic-onset JRA and those with severe bacterial infections.…”

The myeloid‐related proteins 8 and 14 complex, a novel ligand of toll‐like receptor 4, and interleukin‐1β form a positive feedback mechanism in systemic‐onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis

“…Measurement of serum concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, or TNF is not helpful in resolving the clinical dilemma regarding differential diagnosis of systemiconset JIA versus other inflammatory diseases (22,23). It is well known that high concentrations of IL-1␤ are not found in systemic-onset JIA (17,23).…”

D-Hormone analog alfacalcidol: an update on its role in post-menopausal osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis management

“…Local and systemic osteoporosis are linked to increased production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6), resulting in increased formation and activation of osteoclasts (96)(97)(98)(99)(100). TNF-alpha may also interfere with bone formation by promoting apoptosis of osteoblasts (101).…”