CXCL10 (alpha) and CCL2 (beta) chemokines in systemic sclerosis--a longitudinal study
A Antonelli1, C Ferri, P Fallahi
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa School of Medicine, Via Roma, 67, I-56100, Pisa, Italy. a.antonelli@med.unipi.it
Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|December 14, 2007
Summary
This study found higher levels of CXCL10 and CCL2 chemokines in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). CXCL10 levels decreased over time, suggesting a shift in disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis.
- Chemokines play a crucial role in immune cell trafficking and inflammatory processes in autoimmune diseases.
- Understanding chemokine profiles in SSc can provide insights into disease pathogenesis and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify serum levels of CXCL10 and CCL2 chemokines in patients diagnosed with SSc.
- To correlate these chemokine levels with the clinical presentation and disease progression in SSc patients.
- To investigate changes in chemokine levels over a 5-year follow-up period.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 72 newly diagnosed SSc patients and 72 matched controls.
- Serum levels of CXCL10 and CCL2 were measured using established assays.
- Levels were re-evaluated after 5 years in a subset of 37 SSc patients and 37 controls.
Main Results:
- Newly diagnosed SSc patients exhibited significantly elevated serum levels of both CXCL10 and CCL2 compared to controls.
- Higher CXCL10 levels were associated with interstitial lung and kidney involvement in SSc patients.
- Over 5 years, CXCL10 levels significantly decreased in SSc patients, while CCL2 levels remained stable, leading to an increased CCL2/CXCL10 ratio.
Conclusions:
- Newly diagnosed SSc is characterized by elevated serum levels of Th1 (CXCL10) and Th2 (CCL2) chemokines.
- Elevated CXCL10 is linked to a more severe SSc phenotype, particularly lung and kidney involvement.
- The observed changes in CXCL10 and CCL2 over time suggest a progression from an early Th1-driven inflammatory state to a later Th2-like stage in SSc.
