Effects of interferon-α2a treatment on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, tumor necrosis factor-α2 receptor, interleukin-2, interleukin-2 receptor, and E-selectin in Behçet's disease

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate serum levels of various cytokines and E-selectin in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) before and after treatment with interferon-α2a (IFN-α). The study population consisted of 22 patients with active BD; 15 age- and sex-matched healthy adults served as the control group. IFN-α (3 million units subcutaneously) was given to all patients twice a week for 3 months. Twenty of twenty-two patients experienced clinical improvement with this therapy. Pre- and post-treatment serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), TNF-α2-receptor (TNFα2R), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), and E-selectin were measured by sandwich-type enzyme immunoassay. Baseline E-selectin, TNF-α, and TNF-α2R levels of the patients were increased in comparison with the control group and post-treatment values. However, IL-2 and IL-2R levels did not change either with treatment or compared with the control group levels. In conclusion, these results confirm the previously described efficacy of IFN-α in the treatment of BD. Serum levels of TNF-α, TNF-α2R, and E-selectin are prominently increased during active stage of the disease, indicating presence of immune system activation and endothelial injury/activation. Improvement of the pathological cytokinemia and endothelial disturbance accompany interferon-α-induced disease remission.