M-RNA of circulating cytokines in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract EN

Objectives:To examine whether circulating levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNFR; P55 and P75), soluble interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2r), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) reflect clinical response and whether changes are dependent on the drug used in the treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: These cytokines and soluble receptors were assessed in 20 control subjects and serially for up to 48 weeks in 61 JRA patients with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

IL-10 messenger RNA (mRNA) was measured using reverse transcription polymerse chain reactions (RT-PCR).

Results: Concentrations of P55 and P75 and sIL-2r (but not IL-6) were significantly higher in JRA patients than controls.

Significant decreases in sIL-2r and P55 concenterations were associated with clinical improvement and observed in patients treated with corticosteroids, but not with NSAIDs, both induced a decrease in IL-6 concentrations.

JRA sera contained significantly elevated IL-10 levels as compared to levels in normal subjects (p<0.01).

Serum levels of IL-10 were shown to correlate significantly with serum rheumatoid factor (RF) titers and in vitro levels of spontaneous IgM-RF production (p<0.05).

PCR analysis demonstrated the constitutive expression of IL-10 m-RNA by the non-T cell circulating cells.

Conclusions: These data demonstrate the production of cytokines in JRA associated with disease activity and a decrease in serum level with corticosteroid treatment.