Interleukin 6 and 8 levels in plasma and fibroblast cultures in psoriasis

Mediators Inflamm. 2006;2006(1):81767. doi: 10.1155/MI/2006/81767.

Abstract

Fibroblasts have been implicated in psoriatic inflammatory processes. The aim of the study was to evaluate soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) plasma levels in psoriatic patients and IL-6 and IL-8 levels in fibroblast culture supernatants. Cytokines levels in plasma and supernatants were measured by ELISA. Plasma sIL-2R, IL-6, and IL-8 levels were higher before the treatment in comparison to healthy controls (P < 0.001) and decreased after treatment. Fibroblasts from healthy controls, psoriatic lesional skin, and noninvolved psoriatic skin, when stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha, released considerable amounts of IL-6 and IL-8. No significant difference between healthy controls and psoriatic fibroblasts was observed. Monitoring plasma sIL-2R levels could be employed as a reliable method of psoriasis activity. IL-8 and IL-6 plasma levels seem to reflect psoriasis activity, and treatment response, respectively. Fibroblasts are not a major source of increased IL-6 and IL-8 production in psoriasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Interleukin-6 / blood*
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-8 / blood*
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psoriasis / blood*
  • Psoriasis / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / blood
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Interleukin-8
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2