Serum cytokine and anti-FcγR autoantibody measurements in patients with systemic sclerosis

The serum IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 , TNF-α and soluble IL-2 receptor levels were measured, and the presence of anti-Fcγ receptor (FcγR) antibodies was investigated in the sera of 18 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). An increase of TNF-α was detected in 8 of the 18 cases. IL-1β was elevated in all the 18 patients. Both IL-2 and IL-4 were elevated in 7 cases. The IL-6 level was elevated in 17 patients, while IL-8 was increased in all cases. The soluble IL-2 receptor level was elevated in 11 patients. FcγR-specific antibodies were detected in the sera of 6 patients, and there was a significant association between anti-FcγR antibody positivity and IL-4 elevation, The presence of anti-FcγR antibodies may influence several cell functions and may contribute to the remarkable variability of cytokine levels in SSc.