Increased serum levels of interleukin 10 in Sjögren's syndrome; correlation with increased IgG1.

OBJECTIVE: To determine levels of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and IgG subclasses in serum from 53 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). METHODS: Serum levels of IL-10 were measured using specific sandwich ELISA in 25 patients with "definite" SS, 28 with "possible" SS, and 32 healthy controls. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were also measured by immunoassays. Immunoglobulin classes, IgG subclasses, and C-reactive protein were measured by nephelometry. RESULTS: Circulating IL-10 was elevated in 25 patients. The increase reached significance in the group with possible SS (p = 0.03) versus controls. In the group with definite SS, IL-10 level was correlated with IgG1 level (p = 0.01, r = 0.67) and with focus score (p = 0.01). IFN-gamma was undetectable in most patients. TGF-beta1 was higher (not significantly) in possible SS than in definite SS. CONCLUSION: IL-10 is increased in SS and may account for the overproduction of IgG1 in the syndrome. High IL-10 in the absence of increased IgG1 in possible SS suggests that IL-10 may be necessary but not sufficient for IgG1 overproduction and that other factors are involved. Whereas the correlation of IL-10 level with focus score was expected, it is intriguing that IL-10 was more frequently increased in the incomplete (possible) form of SS than the complete (definite) form. Elevated IL-10 may characterize the lower stage of eccrine dysfunction and perhaps contributes to limiting its severity.

[Nasal soluble levels of ICAM-1 in allergic rhinitis]. / Taux d'ICAM-1 soluble nasal dans les rhinites allergiques.

UNLABELLED: Adhesion molecules, such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), play an important role in the development of the inflammatory allergic response in the nose. ICAM-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells during allergic reaction is regarded as a major hallmark of allergic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) in nasal epithelial lining fluid (ELF) in patients with allergic rhinitis. PATIENTS: Seventeen patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (age: 34,6 +/- 14,6) were screened and the results were compared with those from 11 seasonal allergic rhinitis patients (age: 25.9 +/- 7.4) and 10 non-allergic patients. METHODS: The study was performed outside the pollen season. The scores of subjective symptoms were estimated by two differents methods. First, on the basis of a visual analog scale for the symptoms including nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing and pruritus. This score was called "Autoscore" (fullmark =40 points). Second, on the basis of a four mark scale for each symptom defined (0 =no symptom, 1 =mild, 2 =moderate, 3 =severe). This score was called "Heteroscore" (fullmark =12 points). Specimens of nasal mucosa were collected by brushing the surface of nasal cavity. Levels of sICAM-1 and sECP (soluble Eosinophilic cationic protein) were measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The levels of sICAM-1 in ELF were significantly higher (p <0.01) in patients with perennial rhinitis compared to patients with seasonal rhinitis outside the pollen season and to non allergic patients. Levels of sICAM-1 in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were correlated with levels of sECP (p <0.003) and with the four mark scale scores (p <0. 03) but did not correlate with the visual analog scale scores. CONCLUSIONS: sICAM-1 increased in nasal secretions during natural perennial rhinitis and could be considered as a representative hallmark for clinical severity and follow-up evaluation in perennial allergic rhinitis.

Increased resting energy expenditure is related to plasma TNF-alpha concentration in stable COPD patients.

UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to test whether increased resting energy expenditure (REE) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is related to increased cost of breathing and/or to increased cytokine production. In 36 non-inflammatory (CRP: 17.6 +/- 13.1 mg.l(-1), mean +/- SD; orosomucoid: 0.71 +/- 0.18 g.l(-1)), non-malnourished (BMI: 23.6 +/- 4.3 kg.m(-2)), clinically stable, non severely hypoxic COPD patients (60.5 +/- 8.9 years) we measured REE, pulmonary function and plasma cytokine concentrations (TNF-alpha, IL1 and IL6). REE was increased by 10 +/- 11% (P< 0.001) above predicted values. Plasma TNF-alpha concentration was increased in all patients (mean value 26.3 +/- 14.3 pg.ml(-1)). Excess REE (with respect to values predicted by Harris-Benedict equations) was correlated with plasma TNF-alpha concentration (P< 0.005), but not with the degree of airway obstruction, lung overinflation, or with oxygen cost of breathing. Theophylline treatment resulted in a significant increase in REE by 15%. IN CONCLUSION: non-malnourished, clinically stable, non-severely hypoxic COPD patients display an increased REE that is related with plasma TNF-alpha concentration (without apparent systemic inflammation) and to theophylline treatment, but that is independent of parameters of respiratory function.

[Vernal keratoconjunctivitis in the child. Clinical and complementary study apropos of 22 cases]. / Kérato-conjonctivites vernales de l'enfant. Etude clinique et complémentaire à propos de 22 cas.

PURPOSE: Vernal kératoconjunctivitis was studied in a population of 22 children aged 3 to 14 years and followed up in an allergy and ophthalmology outpatient clinic. The role of allergy and the severity of inflammation where assessed by a systematic exploration, which combined a detailed allergy evaluation and blood and lacrimal sampling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Allergy criteria chosen and recorded in 9 cases are: an increase of total IgE over the higher limit for the age, a positive skin prick test to one allergen, a positive serum specific IgE dosage (> 0.35 IU/mL) of specific IgE. Conjunctival allergy was present in 6 of the 9 children with a positive allergenic provocation test, or with a high local production of total IgE and a lacrimal/serum eosinophilic cationic protein ratio greater than one. RESULTS: Criteria used for supporting the IgE mediated hypersensitivity diagnosis are discussed: they have to be very strict to eliminate false positive results. Allergen involvement can only be evidenced by a specific provocation test. When evidenced as described, limbic or palpebral conjunctivitis had the same frequency. Lacrimal ICAM 1 levels seemed to be higher (p < 0.05) in the severe limbal forms (24.7 +/- 3 pg/mL) than in the palpebral ones (8.1 +/- 6.5 pg/mL). Interpretation of biological parameters evidencing conjunctival inflammation is more difficult. CONCLUSION: Allergic involvement in child vernal keratoconjunctivitis can only be assessed through a detailed evaluation, leading to a specialised ophthalmic and allergic management. A specific treatment can then be established, based on allergen eviction and possibly on specific immunotherapy (5 cases). H1 antihistamin treatments are dedicated only to children with a positive allergic evaluation.

An open study of the anti-TNF alpha agent pentoxifylline in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Monoclonal antibodies to TNF alpha have a rapid therapeutic effect in rheumatoid arthritis. Pentoxifylline is an anti-TNF alpha agent that is easier to handle than antibodies. METHODS: An open prospective trial was conducted in 21 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Pentoxifylline was given in a daily dosage of 1,200 mg for at least one month. Five patients received the drug as a continuous intravenous infusion during the first seven days. RESULTS: After one month, a significant decrease in the pain severity score was noted, but all other clinical and laboratory efficacy parameters were unchanged. A limited response was seen in four patients. TNF alpha levels did not decrease under therapy. CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of our trial, the therapeutic benefits provided by pentoxifylline were too small to warrant use of this drug in severe refractory rheumatoid arthritis.

Variations of cytokine levels and production in CAPD patients.

Macrophages, predominant cells in dialysates of patients on CAPD without peritonitis, produce a wide variety of substances including cytokines. The aim of this study was to examine the cytokine production in five uninfected patients. This work investigated the presence in dialysates of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha and the ability of peritoneal macrophages to produce these cytokines. These results were compared with values obtained from control group in non-uremic conditions (peritoneal lavage with isotonic saline or dialysis fluid). All cytokines were detectable in dialysates. Interindividual variations in cytokine concentration in dialysates were wider than variations of production of cytokines ex vivo by stimulated and unstimulated cells. In control group, dialysis fluid inhibited the cytokine production and with isotonic saline, cells produced less cytokines than dialysis patients' cells. The highest levels of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor in dialysates and the highest capacity to respond to LPS were observed in patients having the shortest duration of dialysis. The variability observed did not seem to be due to cells themselves but to their environment.

[Natural history of arterial hypertension due to primary hyperreninism]. / Histoire naturelle d'une hypertension artérielle par hyperréninisme primaire.

This case report deals with an eight-year duration severe high renin hypertension and its consequences. In 1975, a 13 years old girl was found to have blood pressure (BP) levels of 240/150 mmHg with bilateral papilloedema. Hypokalemic alkalosis, a 45 mm Sokolow index (SI) and very high peripheral renin activity (PRA) were also noticed. Renal vein renin sampling (RVRS) suggested secretion from the left kidney but intravenous pyelography and renal arteriography were normal. BP levels were first controlled by triple treatment but rose one year later, despite adjunction of beta-blockers. High PRA was again found, but without hormonal gradient on a second RVRS. From 1977 to 1982, BP never fell to normal levels despite quadruple treatment. In 1982, a stage II optic fundus, a 58 mm SI and 2 g/day proteinuria are noticed, so that a new complete etiologic work up is undertaken in 1983: PRA is still high, with a dramatic acute BP fall after captopril and no gradient on a third RVRS, but intravenous pyelography, tomodensitometry and selective arteriography disclose a 4 cm diameter poorly vascularized tumour on the surface of the lower pole of the right kidney. BP levels are controlled for three months by captopril + chlorothiazide. The tumour is removed in january 1984. RVRS by direct peroperative punction indicates (a posteriori) hormonal secretion from the right kidney lower pole. Histologic examination and immunofluorescence with antirenin serum corroborate the juxtaglomerular origin of the tumour. Eighteen months later, BP is permanently normal, SI is 30 mm, and there is no proteinuria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)