Serum concentrations of neopterin, soluble interleukin 2 receptor, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor in Wegener's granulomatosis
Nassonov, E.L.; Samsonov, M.Y.; Tilz, G.P.; Beketova, T.V.; Semenkova, E.N.; Baranov, A.; Wachter, H.; Fuchs, D.
Journal of Rheumatology 24(4): 666-670
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 9101499 Document Number: 482322
To investigate the possible relationship between serum levels of neopterin, soluble tumor necrosis factor-55 receptor (sTNF-55R), and soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) with disease activity in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). Serum neopterin was measured by radioimmunoassay, sTNF-55R and sIL-2R were measured by ELISA in 26 patients with WG. Serum neopterin, sTNF-55R, and sIL-2R were significantly elevated in patients with generalized WG compared with healthy controls. Concentrations of the analytes correlated with disease activity indices in patients without infectious complications. The highest elevations of all 3 variables were observed in patients with intercurrent infections. The increased serum levels of neopterin, sTNF-55R, and sIL-2R suggest activation of cellular immunity in WG.