Elevated circulating interleukin-7 levels in patients with systemic
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis



De Benedetti F, Massa M, Pignatti P, Kelley M, Faltynek CR, Martini A
Clinica Pediatrica, Universita di Pavia, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo,
Italy.

OBJECTIVE. Since interleukin-7 (IL-7) has been shown to induce monocyte
production of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, we
investigated plasma and synovial fluid levels of IL-7 in patients with
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).

METHODS. IL-7 levels were measured using an ELISA in 60 patients with
JRA and in 25 patients with other rheumatic disorders (ORD).

RESULTS. In patients with systemic JRA, but not in patients with
polyarticular or pauciarticular JRA or with ORD, plasma IL-7 levels were
significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than those of healthy controls. IL-7
was undetected in all synovial fluid tested. Among patients with
systemic JRA, those with persistent systemic symptoms had IL-7 levels
significantly higher (p < 0.01) than those of patients in which systemic
symptoms subsided.

CONCLUSION. Plasma IL-7 levels are elevated in patients with systemic
JRA and are associated with the presence and severity of systemic
symptoms.

PMID: 7473488, UI: 96003057


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