CYTOKINE CONCENTRATION IN SERUM OF LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS PATIENTS - THEEFFECT ON ACUTE-PHASE RESPONSE

In order to get a better insight into cytokine network regulation in s ystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we analyzed levels of interleukin-1 0 (IL-10), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alph a), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the sera from 36 SLE patients. Moreover, C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein (AGP), and alpha-1-antichymotripsin (ACT) serum levels were evaluated. Serum levels of IL-10 and IL-6 were significantly increased when compared wi th healthy controls. TNF-alpha and IL-gamma did not differ from normal values. We established the relationship between IL-10 and IL-6 as wel l as between IL-10 and TNF-alpha. None of the analyzed cytokines corre lated with the acute phase protein levels. Based on the obtained data, we conclude that IL-10 may play the superior regulating role in SLE, A lack of correlation between the cytokines and acute phase proteins s uggests their independence from cytokine regulation.