Interleukin-2 in scleroderma: correlation of serum level with extent of skin involvement and disease duration

• Published in: Annals of internal medicine Vol. 110; no. 6; p. 446
• Main Authors: Kahaleh, M B, LeRoy, E C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.03.1989
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - immunology; Biological Assay; Cell Division; Cell Line; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Interleukin-2 - analysis; Interleukin-2 - antagonists & inhibitors; Interleukin-2 - physiology; Lymphokines - blood; Middle Aged; Scleroderma, Systemic - immunology; Scleroderma, Systemic - pathology; Skin - pathology; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic - cytology; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0003-4819; 1539-3704
• DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-110-6-446

To assess whether interleukin-2 has a role in the pathogenesis of scleroderma. Observe serum effect on the in-vitro growth of an interleukin-2-dependent cytotoxic T-cell line and determine serum level by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Outpatient rheumatology clinic of a university medical center. Sera were collected from 47 patients with scleroderma, 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 14 matched control subjects. A significant mitogenic effect was observed in sera from patients with scleroderma of recent onset; a lower proliferative response was seen in rheumatoid sera. Matched control sera had no mitogenic activity. Sera from patients with scleroderma of recent onset supported the in-vitro growth of an interleukin-2-dependent cytotoxic T-cell line. Matched control sera had no similar mitogenic activity. Interleukin-2 was found in sera from 41 of 47 patients with scleroderma (204 +/- 356 U/mL, mean +/- SD), in 9 of 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (2.04 +/- 5.16), and in none of 14 matched control subjects. There was a positive correlation between serum level and the skin progression index (skin score/disease duration). The presence of interleukin-2 in scleroderma sera strongly supports a role for T-cell activation in scleroderma. The association between serum levels and disease progression indicates that this T-cell process may participate in the progression of the disease.