Macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha: a link between innate immunity and familial Mediterranean fever?

Cytokine. 2007 Jan;37(1):92-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2006.12.005. Epub 2007 Jan 31.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between chemokines and the inflammation in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). Forty-nine patients with FMF (41 in remission and 8 in acute attack period) and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum levels of macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) were assessed in the patients and the controls, along with other parameters of disease activity, i.e., fibrinogen, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Serum MIP-1alpha levels of the patients with FMF in acute attack period were significantly higher than the patients in remission and healthy controls (p=0.02 and p=0.038, respectively). MIP-1alpha levels were weakly correlated with CRP (r=0.32, p=0.032) levels. MIP-1alpha may have a role in the pathogenesis of FMF attacks. MIP-1alpha and other chemokines may constitute a link between the innate immune system and FMF.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Chemokine CCL3
  • Chemokine CCL4
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / blood*
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / immunology*
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology*
  • Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Chemokine CCL3
  • Chemokine CCL4
  • Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins