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Interleukin-18 Binding Protein in the Sera of Patients with Wegener’s Granulomatosis

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Abstract

Introduction

In the present study, we examined the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-18 and its natural inhibitor, the IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), in sera of Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) patients at various stages of the disease.

Patients and Methods

Sera from eight consecutive biopsy-proven systemic WG patients (four men and four women; age at diagnosis 58.4 ± 13.8 years) were obtained longitudinally with a follow-up period of 55.2 ± 30 months. Sera obtained from 50 healthy subjects were used as controls.

Results and Discussion

Serum levels of IL-18, IL-18BP, and free IL-18 obtained during an active phase of the disease (Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, BVAS > 10) were more than twofold higher than levels in the same patients during inactive disease stages (BVAS < 5; P < 0.002; P < 0.006, and P < 0.03 for IL-18, IL-18BP, and free IL-18, respectively). During inactive stages, the levels of these markers were comparable to those of healthy controls. The elevated levels of IL-18 and IL-18BP in sera during active stages of disease suggest a possible role in the pathogenesis and course of the WG.

Conclusion

Despite the elevated IL-18BP levels during active disease, free IL-18 remained higher than in the inactive disease stages, suggesting a potential benefit of administration of exogenous IL-18BP as a novel therapeutic approach for active WG.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Genetics, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

    D. Novick & M. Rubinstein

  2. Department of Medicine B, Kaplan Medical Center Rehovot, Rehovot, Israel

    D. Elbirt & Z. M. Sthoeger

  3. Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA

    C. A. Dinarello

  4. Department of Medicine B Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Kaplan Medical Center Rehovot, Rehovot, Israel

    Z. M. Sthoeger

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  1. D. Novick
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  2. D. Elbirt
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  3. C. A. Dinarello
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  4. M. Rubinstein
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  5. Z. M. Sthoeger
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Correspondence to D. Novick or Z. M. Sthoeger.

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Novick, D., Elbirt, D., Dinarello, C.A. et al. Interleukin-18 Binding Protein in the Sera of Patients with Wegener’s Granulomatosis. J Clin Immunol 29, 38–45 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-008-9217-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-008-9217-0

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