Plasma levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor, soluble CD30, interleukin 10 and B cell activator of the tumour necrosis factor family during follow-up in vasculitis associated with proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies: associations with disease activity and relapse.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate whether T cell activation, as reflected by levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL2R), soluble CD30 (sCD30), IL-10 and B cell activator of the tumour necrosis factor family (BAFF) at diagnosis and during initial follow-up, is predictive for persistent or renewed antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity and clinical relapse in patients with vasculitis associated with proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (PR3-ANCA).

METHODS:

87 Patients with PR3-ANCA-associated vasculitis and at least 2 years of follow-up were included in the study. At diagnosis, and at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after diagnosis, cytoplasmic ANCA titres were detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), and PR3-ANCA, sIL2R, sCD30, IL-10 and BAFF levels were assessed by ELISA. 31 healthy volunteers provided plasma samples for comparison. Levels of immune markers were related to ANCA positivity and relapse during follow-up.

RESULTS:

Plasma levels of sIL2R, sCD30 and BAFF were higher in patients than in controls at all time points. Plasma levels of sIL2R, sCD30 and IL-10 were higher at diagnosis and relapse than during remission. At 18 months, sCD30 (p<0.001) and sIL2R levels (p = 0.01) were significantly higher in PR3-ANCA-positive patients (detected by ELISA) than in PR3-ANCA-negative patients. ANCA-positive patients detected by ELISA or IIF at 24 months had significantly higher plasma sCD30 levels (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively) than ANCA-negative patients.

CONCLUSION:

Increased T cell activation in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis in remission during and after immunosuppressive treatment is associated with persistent or renewed ANCA positivity.

• Authors: J-S F Sanders, M G Huitma, C G M Kallenberg, C A Stegeman
• Journal: Annals of the rheumatic diseases (Ann Rheum Dis) Vol. 65 Issue 11 Pg. 1484-9 (Nov 2006) ISSN: 0003-4967 [Print] England
• PMID: 16504995 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
• B-Cell Activating Factor
• Biomarkers
• Glucocorticoids
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Ki-1 Antigen
• Membrane Proteins
• Receptors, Interleukin-2
• TNFSF13B protein, human
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Interleukin-10
• Cyclophosphamide
• Prednisolone
• Serine Endopeptidases
• Myeloblastin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic (blood)
• B-Cell Activating Factor
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Cyclophosphamide (therapeutic use)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Interleukin-10 (blood)
• Ki-1 Antigen (blood)
• Lymphocyte Activation (immunology)
• Male
• Membrane Proteins (blood)
• Middle Aged
• Myeloblastin
• Prednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Receptors, Interleukin-2 (blood)
• Retrospective Studies
• Serine Endopeptidases (immunology)
• Severity of Illness Index
• Solubility
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Vasculitis (drug therapy, immunology)