RESUMEN
To measure serum level of macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha [MIP-1alpha] in some connective tissue diseases as rheumatoid arthritis [RA], systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] and systemic sclerosis [SSc] in order to clarify its possible role in their immunopathogenesis Fifteen RA patients [Group I], fifteen SLE patients [Group II], ten SSc patients [Group III] and 10 healthy controls [Group IV] were participated in this study. A full history taking, thorough clinical examination and routine rheumatological profile investigations were done. Serum MIP-1alpha was measured in all patients and control groups using ELISA technique. The three patients groups [RA, SLE and SSc] had a significantly higher level [p<0.001] of serum MIP-1alpha [118.9 +/- 31.4 pg/mL, 106.2 +/- 13.3 pg/mL and 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-1alpha level and disease activity parameters [Duke score, ESR in RA patients; SLEDAI and ESR in SLE patients and only ESR in SSc patients]. The higher level of serum MIP-1alpha in RA, SLE and SSc patients could reflect its immunopathogentic role as an important stimulator of T cells, monocyte macrophage as well as its variable proinflammatory activites. Future theraputic researches should target MIP-1alpha which play an important immunopathogenetic role in chronic inflammatory diseases