Serum Cytokine Levels of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients in the Presence of Concomitant Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is known to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). SLE patients suffer from CVD 3.5 times more often than healthy people. Cytokine-mediated inflammation is actively involved in the development of cardiovascular pathology.

Objective: Here, we analyzed serum levels of nine cytokines of steroids-treated SLE patients depending on the presence of concomitant CVD.

Methods: The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-21, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), B-cell activating factor (BAFF), and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) were analyzed using multiplex immunoassay.

Results: In the total group of SLE patients (n=29), the concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 were higher, and the APRIL level decreased compared to healthy donors (n=39, p<0.05). The same changes were observed in the group of patients without CVD (n=15); the levels of IL-6 and IL- 10 were found to be increased, and the level of APRIL was lower than in healthy individuals (p<0.05). In the group of SLE patients with CVD (n=14), the concentrations of IL-4, IL-6, IL- 10, and TNFα were found to be increased (p<0.05). Interestingly, the levels of TNFα and BAFF in SLE patients with CVD were higher than in patients without cardiovascular pathology. Thus, TNFα and BAFF levels were significantly altered in SLE with concomitant CVD compared to SLE without CVD.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that cytokine profiles in SLE with concomitant CVD and SLE without CVD are different, which should be considered in further research with large samples.

Keywords: APRIL; BAFF; IL-1β; IL-4; Systemic lupus erythematosus; TNFα; cardiovascular diseases; cytokines.