Association of interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 serum levels with systemic lupus erythematosus activity.

We investigated serum level of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 59 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 16 healthy controls. We examined a possible association between serum levels of these cytokines and SLE activity, as well as correlation between IFN-gamma concentration and the level of TNF-alpha and IL-6 and also IL-6 and TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha and IL-6 were detectable in all 59 patients and normal individuals and their level was significantly higher in SLE patients than in the control group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.02, respectively). In contrast IFN-gamma was detectable in 23 (39%) patients and in only 3 (20%) healthy individuals. We found positive correlation between serum concentration of TNF-alpha and IL-6 with SLE activity and no such correlation with IFN-gamma. We also observed positive correlation between serum levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-6 as well as TNF-alpha and IL-6. In conclusion, an increase in the serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 may be useful markers for SLE activity.

[Clinical usefulness of determining the antibodies to soluble nuclear antigens in various collagen diseases]. / Przydatnosc kliniczna oznaczenia przeciwcial przeciw rozpuszczalnym antygenom jadrowym w grupie chorób tkanki lacznej.

The purpose of the study was evaluation of the clinical usefulness of determination of antibodies to soluble nuclear antigens. The study was carried out in 71 cases of various collagen diseases. Antibodies dsDNA (IIF method with Crithidium luciliae as substrate) were found only in patients with SLE and renal involvement. RNP antibodies (double immunodiffusion method) were demonstrated in 83.3% of cases of mixed connective tissue disease, and Sm antibodies in 8% of SLE patients. It is worth stressing that in the presented material Sm antibodies were present only in association with RNP antibodies. Antibodies Ro and/or La were present most often in the sera of patients with SCLE, while Scl 70 antibodies were a marker of systemic sclerosis, more frequent in patients with diffuse scleroderma, while their demonstration in acroscleroderma suggested a more severe course of the disease. The study showed a high diagnostic and prognostic value of antibodies to soluble nuclear antigens in collagen diseases.