Related Experiment Videos
Serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and interleukin 8 levels in familial Mediterranean fever
H Direskeneli1, H Ozdogan, C Korkmaz
1Division of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, Turkey.
Objective:
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent attacks of polyserositis (peritonitis, pleuritis, and arthritis) and fever. We measured levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and interleukin 8 (IL-8), which are important mediators in leukocyte-endothelial adhesion and leukocyte accumulation in tissues.
Methods:
sICAM-1 and IL-8 levels were studied in 30 patients with FMF during attacks and remission, along with 23 healthy and 26 disease controls. sICAM-1 and IL-8 levels were measured with commercial ELISA systems.
Results:
Median levels of sICAM-1 were significantly elevated in patients with FMF during attacks (FMF-a) and remission periods (FMF-r) compared to healthy controls (HC) (FMF-a: 600 ng/ml, FMF-r: 520 ng/ml, HC: 353 ng/ml; FMF-a vs. HC: p<0.0001, FMF-r vs. HC: p = 0.002). IL-8 levels were also significantly elevated in FMF-a compared to HC (37 vs. 25 pg/ml; p = 0.009), but not during remission (26 pg/ml; p = 0.7). A significant correlation was observed between sICAM-1 and IL-8 levels (r = 0.33, p = 0.01). sICAM-1 levels also correlated significantly with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen levels of patients with FMF.
Conclusion:
Increased levels of sICAM-1 and IL-8 in FMF suggest that neutrophils are active with increased adhesion in FMF. Since increased levels of sICAM-1 are also observed during remission, subclinical disease activity and inflammation seem to be present in some patients.
Insights
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) involves elevated levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and interleukin 8 (IL-8), indicating neutrophil activity and adhesion. These markers suggest ongoing subclinical inflammation even during remission in FMF patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Genetics
Background:
- Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by recurrent polyserositis and fever, with an unknown etiology.
- Key mediators in leukocyte-endothelial adhesion and tissue accumulation include soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and interleukin 8 (IL-8).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the levels of sICAM-1 and IL-8 in patients with FMF during both active attacks and remission periods.
- To explore the potential role of these inflammatory markers in the pathogenesis and disease activity of FMF.
Main Methods:
- sICAM-1 and IL-8 levels were quantified using commercial ELISA systems.
- The study included 30 FMF patients (during attacks and remission) and compared them with 23 healthy and 26 disease controls.
Main Results:
- Median sICAM-1 levels were significantly elevated in FMF patients during attacks and remission compared to healthy controls (p<0.0001 and p=0.002, respectively).
- IL-8 levels were significantly higher during FMF attacks compared to healthy controls (p=0.009), but not during remission (p=0.7).
- A significant positive correlation was found between sICAM-1 and IL-8 levels (r=0.33, p=0.01), as well as with acute phase reactants like ESR, CRP, and fibrinogen.
Conclusions:
- Elevated sICAM-1 and IL-8 in FMF suggest increased neutrophil activity and adhesion.
- The persistent elevation of sICAM-1 during remission indicates subclinical disease activity and ongoing inflammation in some FMF patients.