Proinflammatory Cytokines and C-Reactive Protein in Uveitis Associated with Behçet’s Disease

• DOI: 10.1155/2014/396204
• Publication Date: 2014-06-08T17:00:25Z
• Authors: Marina Mesquida; Blanca Molins; Victor Llorenç; Maite Sainz de la...; María Victoria He...; Gerard Espinosa; Alfredo Adán
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Malaltia de Behçet; Uveitis; Interferon-gamma; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Citoquines; Pathology; RB1-214; Humans; Aged; Inflammation; Behçet's disease; Blood proteins; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Behcet Syndrome; Interleukin-17; Middle Aged; Inflamació; 3. Good health; C-Reactive Protein; Proteïnes de la sang; Case-Control Studies; Uveïtis; Cytokines; Female; Research Article

The aim of the present study was to determine the serum cytokine profile and levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients with uveitis associated with Behçet’s disease (BD) and to compare them with those obtained from healthy control subjects. We determined the serum concentration of interferon-γ(IFN-γ), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-12p70, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and hsCRP in 13 patients with active uveitis associated to BD, 24 inactive BD patients, and 20 controls. In a subgroup of 10 active patients, a second serum sample was obtained when the disease was inactive. Cytokine profiles and hsCRP levels were correlated with disease activity, severity, complications, and visual outcome. Levels of IFN-γand TNF-αwere significantly increased in patients with active uveitis associated to BD compared to controls (P<0.05). IFN-γ, TNF-α, and hsCRP were significantly higher during active uveitis associated to BD compared to inactive disease (P<0.05). Furthermore, IL-17A was significantly increased in patients with active BD without pharmacological treatment compared to controls (P<0.05). No significant correlations were found with specific cytokine profiles and disease severity, visual outcome, or complications. In summary, increased serum levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-17A, and hsCRP were associated with active uveitis associated with BD and might serve as markers of disease activity.