Longitudinal evaluation of interleukins 4, 6, 10 and 12, interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha and laboratory and clinical associations in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune, chronic, multisystemic disease characterized by periods of activity and remission. The clinical manifestations more frequently observed are skin lesions, photosensitivity, oral ulcers, arthritis, serositis, renal and neurological involvement. The central nervous system is frequently involved, and manifestations as seizures, mood disorders, headaches, and neuropathies can be observed in variable frequencies. Abnormalities such as leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, presence of autoantibodies such as anti-DNA, anti-Sm, ANA can be found. Laboratory evaluation, including the cytokine profile, helps in the diagnosis and determination of disease activity. The present longitudinal study aims to assess the levels of IL-12, INF gamma, TNF alpha, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in 130 SLE patients, including adults and children and 50 healthy controls with no history of autoimmune disease in the family. We will also compare the levels of these cytokines with disease activity and clinical manifestations and laboratory and finally, assess whether the variation in levels of IL-12, INF gamma, TNF alpha, IL-4, IL-6 and IL -10 can be considered biomarkers for clinical and laboratory manifestations. The cytokine analysis will be performed from blood samples (serum) by the method of Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA).