Macrophage inflammatory protein 1-alpha (mip-1a)‎ : Its pathogenetic role in some connective tissue diseases

Abstract EN

Objective : to measure serum level of macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1α) in some connective tissue diseases as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) in order to clarify its possible role in their immunopathogenesis.

Methodology : Fifteen RA patients (Group I), fifteen SLE patients (Group II), ten SSc patients (Group III) and 10 healthy controls (Group IV) participated to this study.

A full history taking, thorough clinical examination and routine hematological profile investigations were done.

Serum MIP-1α was measured in all patients and control groups using the ELISA technique.

Results : the three patients’ groups (RA, SLE and SSc) had a significantly higher level (p < 0.001) of serum MIP-1α(118.9 ± 31.4 pg / mL, 106.2±13.3 pg / mL & 94.2 ± 4.6 pg / mL) respectively when compared to controls (70.3 ± 5.4 pgm / mL).

The highest level was among RA patients.

Furthermore, there was a significant positive (p<0.05) correlation between serum MIP-1αlevel and disease activity parameters (Duke score, ESR in RA patients ; SLEDAI and ESR in SLE patients and ESR only in SSc patients).

Conclusion : the higher level of serum MIP-1α in RA, SLE and SSc patients could reflect its immunopathogenetic role as an important stimulator of T cells, monocyte macrophage as well as its variable proinflammatory activities.

Recommendations : Future therapeutic researches should target MIP-1α which plays an important immunopathogenetic role in chronic inflammatory diseases.