Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Accurate and Simple Measurement of the Pro-inflammatory Cytokine IL-1β using a Whole Blood Stimulation Assay
Published on: March 1, 2011
Serum interleukin-15 concentration in patients with essential hypertension
Masaharu Kaibe1, Mitsuru Ohishi, Norihisa Ito
1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.
Background:
Interleukin (IL)-15 is one of the cytokines produced by neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages, and its expression is found immunohistochemically in inflammatory cells adjacent to vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. However, the influence of systemic IL-15 on cardiovascular disease is still unclear. Therefore, we designed clinical investigations to clarify the relationship between cardiovascular complications and serum IL-15 levels.
Methods And Results:
Three hundred ninety-nine patients with essential hypertension were analyzed. We divided the study subjects into the following three groups according to the modified World Health Organization-International Society of Hypertension classification of 1999: patients with no organ damage (n = 213), patients with mild organ damage (n = 128), and patients with severe organ damage (n = 58). We measured serum IL-15, highly sensitive C reactive protein, IL-6, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule levels. Serum IL-15 concentration in patients with severe organ damage was significantly higher than that in those with no organ damage (P < .01) and those with mild organ damage (P < .01). Serum IL-15 concentration in patients with coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease was significantly higher than that in those without coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease. Moreover, serum IL-15 concentration in patients with lacunar infarction was significantly higher than that in those without lacunar infarction (P < .005). By multiple linear logistic regression analysis, serum IL-15 concentration was independently correlated with cardiovascular disease.
Conclusions:
These data suggest that a systemic inflammatory response involving IL-15 might be involved in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease in patients with essential hypertension.
Related Concept Videos
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Hypertension I: Introduction
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.