SERUM LEVELS OF GRANULOCYTE-MACROPHAGE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR (GM-CSF) IN A GROUP OF PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS

In this report we investigate the behaviour of the serum levels of Gra nulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) in the course o f Systemic Sclerosis (SS), This cytokine is produced mainly by T and N K cells, and its possible role in the pathogenesis of SS has not been previously described in the literature, Serum GM-CSF levels were assay ed in 10 female patients, ageing from 35 to 70, affected by SS, These patients were not suffering from other disorders and were not being tr eated with steroids or immunosuppressive drug, A solid phase immunoenz ymatic method was used to assess the serum levels of GM-CSF. Reference values were previously determined in a control group of 36 healthy wo men blood donors (19 premenopausal and 17 postmenopausal) ((x) over ba r = 20.1+/-12.3 pg/ml). All the patients but one showed significantly increased serum levels of GM-CSF ((x) over bar = 120.9+/-125.5 pg/ml). The highest levels were found in the two oldest patients, who also ha d the longest clinical history of SS, but a clear correlation with age , disease duration or clinical manifestations was not evident, even if the postmenopausal age. group patients showed a higher mean value of GM-CSF ((x) over bar = 148.0+/-144.1 pg/ml) than that found in the pre menopausal age group ((x) over bar = 57.7+/-1.4 pg/ml) (in contrast wi th the findings in the control group). The absence of other pathogenic conditions in our patients suggests that the increase in serum levels of GM-CSF might be linked to the fibroblast proliferation which is ty pical of SS. However, our results do not explain the role played by th is factor in the fibroblastic proliferation process and an in vitro st udy is necessary to clarify this aspect.