Interleukin-8 in Takayasu's arteritis: plasma levels and relationship with disease activity

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the plasma levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in Takayasu's arteritis (TA) and their relationship with disease activity. Methods: IL-8 levels were detected by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the plasma of 53 TA patients, 25 age/sex-matched healthy controls and of 10 serially followed up active TA patients on immunosuppressive therapy. Results: Significantly increased levels of IL-8 were observed in TA patients (26.32±48.96 pg/ml) compared to controls (6.0±2.45 pg/ml) (p=0.0006) and in patients with active TA (55.0±71.43 pg/ml) compared to those with an inactive disease (8.94±6.35 pg/ml) (p= 0.0001). The increased levels of the chemokine were present in 37% (20/53) of the patients compared to 8% (2/25) of the controls (p<0.01) and in 80% (16/20) of patients with active TA compared to 12% (4/33) of those with an inactive disease (p<0.0001). In the follow-up study, the plasma levels of IL-8 were normalized in 6/10 of the patients and the disease in 5 of these 6 patients was also observed to undergo remission. Conclusion: These results suggest that IL-8 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of TA.