Patients with chronic idiopathic neutropenia of adults have increased serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines

Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were measured in 132 patients with chronic idiopathic neutropenia of adults (CINA) and 34 health y Volunteers (controls) using commercially available micro-ELISA determinat ion kits, We found that serum interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosi s factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth facto r-beta (1) (TGF-beta (1)), and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor p55 ( sTNF-RI) were all significantly increased in CINA patients compared to cont rols. Individual cytokine values inversely correlated with the number of ci rculating neutrophils. Serum levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and RANTES, two potent chemokines for neutrophils and lymphocytes, respectively, were also significantly increased in the group of patients and they inversely correl ated with the number of circulating neutrophils, Contrarily, serum levels o f interleukin-l (IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN gamma), soluble CD23 (sCD23), and soluble interleukin-a receptor (sIL-2R) did not show any significant c hange in the patients studied, We assume that CINA patients have increased serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines mainly produc ed by activated macrophages, while they disclose normal levels of inflammat ory molecules mainly released from activated lymphocytes. These findings pr ovide further evidence for an underlying low-grade chronic inflammatory pro cess in CINA patients, as we previously have suggested, If this chronic inf lammation is really the cause of the disorder or it simply represents the r esult of neutropenia remains to be elucidated. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.