Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Relationship between interleukin-6 and cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis
Zrinka Jurisic1, Dusanka Martinovic-Kaliterna, Daniela Marasovic-Krstulovic
1Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Center Split, Spinciceva 1, 21 000 Split, Croatia. zrinkacn@gmail.com
Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|March 30, 2013
Summary
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is elevated in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and linked to cardiac issues. This study shows IL-6 correlates with diastolic dysfunction, NT-proBNP, and disease severity in SSc.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with cardiovascular complications.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in various autoimmune diseases.
- Cardiac involvement in SSc can lead to significant morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum IL-6 levels and echocardiographic findings in SSc patients.
- To examine the relationship between IL-6, N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and the European Scleroderma Activity (EUSTAR) score.
- To identify potential biomarkers for cardiac dysfunction in SSc.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 31 SSc patients and 32 healthy controls.
- Measurement of serum IL-6 and NT-proBNP levels.
- Echocardiographic assessment including conventional and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging.
Main Results:
- SSc patients exhibited significantly higher IL-6 levels compared to controls.
- Abnormalities in left ventricular diastolic function (lower myocardial velocities, higher E/e' ratio) were observed in SSc patients.
- IL-6 levels correlated with diastolic dysfunction parameters (LV mean e', E/e') and NT-proBNP.
- EUSTAR score showed significant correlations with echocardiographic parameters (E/e', mean e', mean s'), NT-proBNP, and IL-6.
Conclusions:
- Elevated IL-6 levels are present in SSc patients and are associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.
- IL-6 shows a significant correlation with NT-proBNP and the EUSTAR score.
- These findings suggest a role for IL-6 in the pathogenesis of cardiac disease in systemic sclerosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:21Myocarditis I: Introduction
Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as SH2...
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
01:29Cardiomyopathy VI: Nursing Management
Assessment: Nursing management of patients with cardiomyopathy begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's history, including a family history of cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac death, personal history of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and any alcohol consumption or drug use.During the physical examination, assess vital signs, look for signs of heart failure (such as edema, jugular venous distention, and cyanosis), auscultate for abnormal heart sounds (like murmurs and gallops),...