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The critical role of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of Takayasu arteritis
X. Kong1, Y. Sun2, L. Ma3, H. Chen4, L. Wei5, W. Wu6, Z. Ji7, L. Ma8, Z. Zhang9, Z. Zhang10, Z. Zhao11, J. Hou12, S. Dai13, C. Yang14, L. Jiang15
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Changhai Hospital affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Ren Ji Hospital affiliated to Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China. zsh-rheum@hotmail.com
CER8526
2016 Vol.34, N°3 ,Suppl.97
PI 0021, PF 0027
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PMID: 26633132 [PubMed]
Received: 15/04/2015
Accepted : 10/07/2015
In Press: 03/12/2015
Published: 27/05/2016
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate T cell subsets and immune cytokine profiles in untreated Takayasu arteritis (TAK) patients and the underlying immunopathological mechanism.
METHODS:
We enrolled 50 untreated TAK patients and 40 age-matched controls (20 healthy controls, 20 untreated SLE patients). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to define cytokine profiles in all patients, and flow cytometry was performed for 9 TAK patients and 12 healthy controls. Hematoxylin and eosin (Handamp;E) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed in aortic tissues of 9 TAK and 9 atherosclerosis patients; clinical data were also collected.
RESULTS:
Circulating CD4+ T cells were more frequent in TAK patients (p<0.05). Frequencies of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells were higher, whereas Treg cells were reduced in TAK. Significantly higher levels of IL-6 and lower levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 were detected in TAK patients (p<0.05). By H & E staining, thickened vascular walls with proliferation of collagen fibre were observed in most patients. Inflammatory sites with infiltrating macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils were located in adventitia. IHC revealed T cells (mainly CD4+ T cells) in vascular lesions. Additionally, IL-6 was positive throughout the vascular wall in most specimens, whereas IFN-γ, IL-12, and IL-17 were detected in inflammatory sites of active patients. IL-6 levels were positively related to ESR, CRP, and Kerr scores (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Significantly increased levels of IL-6 were detected in peripheral blood and aortic tissues of untreated patients. IL-6 might be a sensitive biomarker to assess disease activity and could be critical in the immunopathogenesis of TAK.
