[Cytokine production in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus]

The production of different cytokines, namely interleukin-2, interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha produced by peripheral immunocompetent cells was evaluated in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in active and inactive stage of the disease. The results obtained were compared to healthy controls. It has been found that lymphocytes from both groups of SLE patients produced similarly less interleukin-2 activity. Interleukin-1 activity of monocytes was significantly reduced only in patients with active stage of the disease, whereas tumor necrosis factor-alpha production was diminished even in cases of inactive SLE. The simultaneous detection of the above mentioned cytokines may indicate further details concerning immunoregulatory disturbances of systemic lupus erythematosus.