<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Background. Systemic sclerosis (Ssc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by cutaneous and visceral fibrosis and its pathogenesis is incompletely understood. T helper cells are key regulators of the immune response and they seem to be involved in Ssc clinical manifestations. The aim of the study is to determine key cytokines secreted by Th1 (IFN-γ), Th2 (IL-6) and Th17 (IL-17) in Ssc patients and correlate them with specific manifestations of Ssc patients. Material and methods. 35 consecutive Ssc patients and 20 age and sex matched controls were recruited. Serum IL-17, IFN-γ and IL-6 were determined using ELISA method. Results. Serum IL-17 and IL-6 levels were not significantly different in Ssc patients and controls. Serum IFN-γ levels were higher in Ssc patients when compared to controls. Higher serum IFN-γ levels associated with pulmonary hypertension. After adjusting for gender and age, IL-17 levels remained independently associated with some clinical manifestations of Ssc patients (telangiectasia and high activity score of Ssc). Conclusion. Th17 and Th1 cell responses are active in Ssc patients as their cytokines associated with higher disease activity scores and pulmonary manifestations. Th17 and Th1 specific activity and homing within Ssc patients still needs to be defined and determined in order to target them as potential future therapeutic targets in Ssc patients.</abstract>

Background. Systemic sclerosis (Ssc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by cutaneous and visceral fibrosis and its pathogenesis is incompletely understood. T helper cells are key regulators of the immune response and they seem to be involved in Ssc clinical manifestations. The aim of the study is to determine key cytokines secreted by Th1 (IFN-γ), Th2 (IL-6) and Th17 (IL-17) in Ssc patients and correlate them with specific manifestations of Ssc patients. Material and methods. 35 consecutive Ssc patients and 20 age and sex matched controls were recruited. Serum IL-17, IFN-γ and IL-6 were determined using ELISA method. Results. Serum IL-17 and IL-6 levels were not significantly different in Ssc patients and controls. Serum IFN-γ levels were higher in Ssc patients when compared to controls. Higher serum IFN-γ levels associated with pulmonary hypertension. After adjusting for gender and age, IL-17 levels remained independently associated with some clinical manifestations of Ssc patients (telangiectasia and high activity score of Ssc). Conclusion. Th17 and Th1 cell responses are active in Ssc patients as their cytokines associated with higher disease activity scores and pulmonary manifestations. Th17 and Th1 specific activity and homing within Ssc patients still needs to be defined and determined in order to target them as potential future therapeutic targets in Ssc patients.

IL-17, IL-6 and IFN-γ in systemic sclerosis patients

Clinical Immunology Department, “Colentina” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest , Romania

“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania

Clinical Research Unit RECIF (Réseau d’ Epidémiologie Clinique International Francophone), Bucharest, Romania

“Alfred Rusescu” Institute for Mother and Child Protection, Bucharest, Romania

Department of Internal Medicine, “Colentina” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania

Romanian Journal of Internal Medicine

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"IL-17, IL-6 and IFN-γ in systemic sclerosis patients"}

Background. Systemic sclerosis (Ssc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by cutaneous and visceral fibrosis and its pathogenesis is incompletely understood....

IL-17, IL-6 and IFN-γ in systemic sclerosis patients

Publié en ligne: 07 oct. 2015

Pages: 46 - 51

Reçu: 10 févr. 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/rjim-2015-0006

Mots clés
IL-17, systemic sclerosis, IFN-γ, T helper 17, T helper 1

© 2015

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

IL-17, IL-6 and IFN-γ in systemic sclerosis patients

Publié en ligne: 07 oct. 2015

Pages: 46 - 51

Reçu: 10 févr. 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/rjim-2015-0006

Mots clésIL-17, systemic sclerosis, IFN-γ, T helper 17, T helper 1

© 2015

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Mots clés
IL-17, systemic sclerosis, IFN-γ, T helper 17, T helper 1