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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-α
Published on: June 14, 2018
Interferon-gamma levels in familial Mediterranean fever
Seyfettin Köklü1, Mehmet Akif Oztürk, Mustafa Balci
1Department of Gastroenterology, Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. gskoklu@yahoo.com
Aims:
To evaluate the levels of endogenous interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
Methods:
Plasma levels of IFN-gamma were assayed in 29 FMF patients in attack-free period (mean age: 32, min-max: 17-48; male/female: 10/19), 18 FMF patients with acute FMF attack (mean age: 32, min-max: 19-50; male/female: 8/10), and 19 healthy controls (mean age: 31.94 +/- 1.50, min-max: 23-42; male/female: 11/8). IFN-gamma levels were also compared among colchicine treated and untreated groups.
Results:
Median plasma IFN-gamma levels were significantly higher in patients both with and without FMF attack than the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, plasma IFN-gamma levels were higher in patients with acute FMF attack compared to patients in attack-free periods (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of IFN-gamma were comparable in colchicine treated and untreated groups.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that IFN-gamma may contribute to the inflammatory cascade of FMF.
Insights
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels are elevated in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), indicating its potential role in FMF pathogenesis. These findings suggest IFN-gamma contributes to the inflammatory cascade in FMF.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Genetics
Background:
- Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a genetic autoinflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation.
- The precise molecular mechanisms underlying FMF pathogenesis are not fully understood.
- Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a key cytokine involved in immune regulation and inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the levels of endogenous interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in patients diagnosed with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
- To compare IFN-gamma levels between FMF patients during acute attacks and in attack-free periods, as well as with healthy controls.
- To assess the influence of colchicine treatment on IFN-gamma levels in FMF patients.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples were collected from 29 FMF patients in an attack-free state, 18 FMF patients experiencing an acute attack, and 19 healthy individuals.
- Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels were quantified using plasma assays.
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare IFN-gamma levels among the groups and between colchicine-treated and untreated FMF patients.
Main Results:
- Median plasma IFN-gamma levels were significantly elevated in both symptomatic and asymptomatic FMF patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05).
- FMF patients experiencing an acute attack exhibited higher plasma IFN-gamma levels than those in an attack-free period (P < 0.05).
- No significant difference in plasma IFN-gamma levels was observed between colchicine-treated and untreated FMF patient groups.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) plays a role in the inflammatory processes of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
- Elevated IFN-gamma levels may contribute to the characteristic inflammatory cascade observed in FMF.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which IFN-gamma influences FMF.
