Abstract
Interleukin-6, a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine, might be involved in Behçet's disease (BD) pathological pathways. We investigated IL-6 levels in sera and synovial fluids collected from BD patients. The IL-6 production was also studied in vivo, by measuring its activity in culture supernatants of PBMC and alveolar macrophages, stimulated or not with LPS. The patients with BD were compared to RA patients and healthy controls. High IL-6 levels were observed in sera, synovial fluid and LPS stimulated PBMC supernatants, from active BD patients, similar to those of RA patients. Alveolar macrophages production of IL-6 was significantly elevated in two active BD patients with an interstitial pneumonia, when compared to controls. These elevated levels of IL-6 suggest its involvement in the inflammatory sites of BD, which may be related to the progression of the acute lesions, at least in the joints and in the lungs.
Highlights
IntroductionBehet’s disease (BD) is a multisystemic disease, mainly observed in Mediterranean areas and inJapan; it is characterized by oral and genital ulcerations, associated with ocular and skin lesions, arthralgia, neurological involvement, and pulmonary manifestations.Elevated levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-), soluble interleukin-2receptor[2] and gamma-interferon3-s have been observed in patients with active Behet’s disease (BD), suggesting the involvement of these cytokines in the inflammatory process.Among the immunological factors that have been recently involved in the inflammatory manifestations, interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a prominent role. 6 IL-6 has pleitropic biological effects, including human T-cell activation,[7] and B-cell proliferation and differentiation.The aim of our study was to evaluate in BD patients IL-6 level in sera and IL-6 production by blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) into culture supernatants
IL-6 was quantified in two local inflammatory sites: synovial fluid and culture supernatants of alveolar macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage
A high seric IL-6 level from active Behet’s disease (BD) patients similar to that from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients was shown, while seric IL-6 from inactive BD patients was in the same range as healthy controls
Summary
Behet’s disease (BD) is a multisystemic disease, mainly observed in Mediterranean areas and inJapan; it is characterized by oral and genital ulcerations, associated with ocular and skin lesions, arthralgia, neurological involvement, and pulmonary manifestations.Elevated levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-), soluble interleukin-2receptor[2] and gamma-interferon3-s have been observed in patients with active Behet’s disease (BD), suggesting the involvement of these cytokines in the inflammatory process.Among the immunological factors that have been recently involved in the inflammatory manifestations, interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a prominent role. 6 IL-6 has pleitropic biological effects, including human T-cell activation,[7] and B-cell proliferation and differentiation.The aim of our study was to evaluate in BD patients IL-6 level in sera and IL-6 production by blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) into culture supernatants. Behet’s disease (BD) is a multisystemic disease, mainly observed in Mediterranean areas and in. Japan; it is characterized by oral and genital ulcerations, associated with ocular and skin lesions, arthralgia, neurological involvement, and pulmonary manifestations. Elevated levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor- (TNF-), soluble interleukin-2. Receptor[2] and gamma-interferon3-s have been observed in patients with active Behet’s disease (BD), suggesting the involvement of these cytokines in the inflammatory process. Among the immunological factors that have been recently involved in the inflammatory manifestations, interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a prominent role. The aim of our study was to evaluate in BD patients IL-6 level in sera and IL-6 production by blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) into culture supernatants. IL-6 was quantified in two local inflammatory sites: synovial fluid and culture supernatants of alveolar macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
