Serum levels of IFN-inducible protein-10 relating to the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus

IFN-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) is supposed to act as a specific chemoattr actant for Th-1 cells. Since Th-1 cells and IFN-gamma are shown to be impor tant for developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we examined the rel ationship between serum IP-10 levels and the disease activity. Serum IP-IO levels were markedly increased in the SLE patients depending on the level o f disease activity, whereas not in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA), On the other hand, serum MCP-I levels were increased to a similar exte nt both in RA and inactive SLE patients, and a little more elevated in acti ve SLE patients. Serum IP-10 levels in SLE patients correlated positively a nd negatively with levels of anti-DNA antibody and complements, respectivel y, whereas MCP-1 levels correlated less or not at all, These results sugges t that serum IP-10 levels could be a good indicator for the activity of SLE and that IP-10 could play an important immunological role in SLE. (C) 2000 Academic Press.