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Elevated serum interleukin-6 levels associated with active disease in systemic connective tissue disorders
R A Stuart1, A J Littlewood, P J Maddison
1Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, University of Bath, U.K.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a useful indicator of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc), even when the acute phase response is weak. This finding helps understand disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Connective tissue diseases like SLE and SSc often exhibit a weak or absent acute phase response.
- Elevated serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels have been previously noted in these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate serum IL-6 levels with disease activity in SLE, SSc, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- To compare IL-6 with standard inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma viscosity (PV).
Main Methods:
- Serum IL-6 was measured using bioassay and immunoradiometric assay.
- IL-6 levels were compared with CRP, PV, and clinical disease assessments (BILAG index for SLE, skin score for SSc, Ritchie index for RA).
Main Results:
- Serum IL-6 (SeIL-6) was elevated in active SLE, SSc, and RA.
- SeIL-6 strongly correlated with disease activity in SLE and SSc, but poorly with CRP.
- In RA, SeIL-6 showed a stronger relationship with CRP and PV, consistent with prior research.
Conclusions:
- Serum IL-6 determination can indicate disease activity in SLE and SSc, particularly when the hepatic acute phase response is impaired.
- The mechanism of hepatic impairment in these conditions warrants further investigation.
- Excessive IL-6 production may play a pathogenic role in connective tissue diseases, potentially stimulating autoantibody synthesis.