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Increased serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract

In this study we investigated the serum levels of a released soluble form of the interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) in 42 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in 12 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus. Data were evaluated in relationship to the clinical phase and compared with those observed in normal controls (N=56) and in osteoarthritis (N = 7). Increased levels were observed in both rheumatoid arthritis (mean ± SE, 604±49 U/ml) and systemic lupus erythematosus (1438±481 U/ml). These values were significantly higher than in control (256±15 U/ml;P<0.001) and in osteoarthritis (298±33 U/ml;P<0.001) groups. In addition, the highest values were associated with the active phases of both rheumatoid arthritis (active vs inactive, 771±78 vs 451±39 U/ml;P<0.001) and systemic lupus erythematosus (active vs inactive, 2108±489 vs 499±75 U/ml;P<0.001). Our findings suggest that the detection of sIL-2R in rheumatoid arthritis and in systemic lupus erythematosus may represent a good marker of disease activity, which indirectly indicates the ongoing activation and/or proliferation of immunoreactive cells which are involved in the pathogenetic events of these autoimmune conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Medicine, First Medical Clinic and Clinical Immunology Branch, Padua University School of Medicine, Padua, Italy

    G. Semenzato, L. M. Bambara, D. Biasi, A. Frigo, F. Vinante, B. Zuppini, L. Trentin, C. Feruglio, M. Chilosi & G. Pizzolo

  2. Departments of Medical Pathology, Hematology, and Pathology, Verona University School of Medicine, Verona, Italy

    G. Semenzato, L. M. Bambara, D. Biasi, A. Frigo, F. Vinante, B. Zuppini, L. Trentin, C. Feruglio, M. Chilosi & G. Pizzolo

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  1. G. Semenzato
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  2. L. M. Bambara
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  3. D. Biasi
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  4. A. Frigo
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  5. F. Vinante
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  7. L. Trentin
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Semenzato, G., Bambara, L.M., Biasi, D. et al. Increased serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. J Clin Immunol 8, 447–452 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00916949

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00916949

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