Serum IL-6 and TNF-α Levels Are Correlated with Disease Severity in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Previous studies have shown that a number of cytokines participate in the regulation of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). To investigate the potential role of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) in AS pathogenesis, this study examined the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in patients with AS and its clinical association with disease activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The serum concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α from 80 patients with AS and 46 healthy control patients (HCs) were examined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The correlations between the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), computed tomography (CT) imaging-based classification, and laboratory indicators were analyzed using the Spearman correlation test.

RESULTS:

Compared to HCs, patients with AS showed higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. There was also a positive correlation between the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels and the BASDAI, the progression of AS, and the CT imaging-based classification. The serum levels of IL-6 correlated closely with C-reactive protein and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. More important, patients with AS with hip joint involvement exhibited a significant elevation of serum levels of TNF-α, and higher IL-6 was detected in patients with the involvement of joints other than the hip and sacroiliac joints.

CONCLUSION:

The serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α can function as important indicators for auxiliary diagnosis and disease activity evaluation of AS.

• Authors: Jing Du, Jinxia Sun, Zhanpeng Wen, Zhicheng Wu, Qian Li, Yuhao Xia, Qiannan Yang, Chao Yang
• Journal: Laboratory medicine (Lab Med) Vol. 53 Issue 2 Pg. 149-155 (Mar 07 2022) ISSN: 1943-7730 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34415341 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © American Society for Clinical Pathology, 2021. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: [email protected].

Chemical References

• IL6 protein, human
• Interleukin-6
• TNF protein, human
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• C-Reactive Protein

Topics

• C-Reactive Protein (metabolism)
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Spondylitis, Ankylosing (diagnosis, pathology)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (blood, metabolism)