SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR IN CROHNS-DISEASE - RELATION OF SERUM CONCENTRATIONS TO DISEASE-ACTIVITY

Serum concentrations of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were measured as a marker of immune activation in a group of 30 patients with Crohn's disease. sIL-2R concentrations were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay during periods of active and inactive disease and correlated with standard parameters of disease activity. Serum concentrations of sIL-2R were significantly raised in patients with active Crohn's disease compared with patient with inactive disease (p < 0.001) and control subjects. There was a significant correlation between serum sIL-2R concentrations and disease activity as assessed by the Harvey-Bradshaw index (r = 0.42, p < 0.01), platelet numbers (r = 0.49, p < 0.01), and orosomucoid (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), alpha1 antitrypsin (r = 0.44, p < 0.01), and C reactive protein concentrations (r = 0.48, p < 0.001) but not with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Measurement of serum sIL-2R concentration is a simple and useful laboratory means of assessing disease activity. Raised concentrations in patients with active Crohn's disease is further evidence for in vivo immune activation occurring in this disease.