In vitro type-1 and type-2 cytokine production in systemic lupus erythematosus: Lack of relationship with clinical disease activity

Objective: to investigate the relationship between disease activity and in vitro cytokine, soluble(s)CD23 and polyclonal and anti-DNA antibody production by PBMC from patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: cytokines, sCD23 and immunoglobulins were estimated by ELISA in unstimulated and polyclonal mitogen-stimulated culture supernatants. Results: PHA-induced IL-2 and IFN-gamma production were decreased, whereas spontaneous and PHA-induced IL-6 and IL-10 production were increased in cultures of SLE lymphocytes. Conversely, spontaneous and PHA-stimulated IL-4 and sCD23 production was comparable between patients and controls. Finally, we found an increase in in vitro spontaneous polyclonal and anti-DNA IgG secretion. Conclusions: We demonstrated an expanded type-2 cytokine profile with no correlation with parameters of disease activity.