Interleukin-10, Interleukin- 16 and Interferon-gamma in serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and correlation with disease activity

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. The rheumatoid synovium is characterized by infiltration of T cells, macrophage, B cells, and proliferating fibroblasts which aggressively invade cartilage and bone, thus destroying joints' ability to function. In rheumatoid arthritis [RA] both an imbalance between excessive production of the proinflamatory and ant-inflammatory cytokines and skewing of the T cell to a T helper like response. Cytokines have been shown to play a modulatory role in the pathogenesis of RA. The imunoregulatory cytokine IL-10 increases autoantibody production by B cell stimulates its survival, proliferation and differentiation. Moreover IL-10 inhibits the generation of proinflamatory cytokines and proliferation of T helper lymphocyte. Interleukin 16 might play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation in RA. It has a proinflamatory properties by promoting recruitment of T cells into the rheumatoid synovium. Also IFN-gamma is of interest because of the role it plays in the initiation and perpetuation of T helper cell. Serum level of IL-10, IL-16, and IFN-gamma were determined in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in relation to disease activity. All patients with RA [n=30] showed highly significant increase in ESR, CRP, IL-10, IL16, IFNgamma compared to control group [p<0.01]. Positive correlation were found between IL-10 and each IL-16 and IFN-gamma [p<0.001] [r=0.63, 0.55] respectively, and highly significant correlation between IL-16 and IFNgamma [p<0.001] [r=0.89]were determined. Results showed positive correlation between ESR and each IL-10, IL-16, IFNgamma [p<0.001] [r=0.67, 0.87, 0.75] respectively. And highly significant correlation between CRP and each IL10, IL-16, IFNgamma [p<0.001] [r=0.0.71, 0.83, 0.73] which indicate relation between increase level of cytokine with disease activity. These data suggest that there is increased production of IL-10, IL-16, and IFN-gamma in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and that it is correlated with the disease activity. These cytokines are interesting for further research and novel therapeutic approach in this inflammatory disease