• Olfat G Shaker, Shereen O Tawfic, Amira M El-Tawdy, Mohamed H M El-Komy, Manal El Menyawi, and Ahmed A Heikal.
• Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
• J Immunol Res. 2014 Jan 1; 2014: 380405.

BackgroundTumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is an important proinflammatory cytokine which plays an important role in the immunopathogenesis of Behcet's disease (BD). B cell activating factor (BAFF) and its homolog A proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) are members of the tumor necrosis factor family. BAFF binds to 3 receptors, B cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R), transmembrane activator and calcium modulator ligand interactor (TACI), and B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) that are expressed by B cells.ObjectiveEstimation of the serum levels of TNF-α, APRIL, BAFF, and BCMA in patients with BD in an effort to evaluate their degree of involvement in the pathogenesis and development of BD.Patients And MethodsThis study included 30 male patients fulfilling the international study group criteria for the diagnosis of BD. Twenty age-matched healthy male volunteers served as control. Serum samples were used for quantification of TNF-α, APRIL, BCMA, BAFF, and hsCRP using ELISA techniques.ResultsThe mean serum levels of TNF-α, APRIL, BCMA, and BAFF were more elevated in cases than in controls in a statistically significant manner (P < 0.001). Positive correlation was observed between hs-CRP and BDCAF (Behcet's disease current activity forum) index (r 0.68, P < 0.001). None of the TNF family members tested was affected by a positive pathergy test.ConclusionsPatients have significantly higher levels of TNF family members' (TNF-α, BAFF, APRIL, and BCMA) compared to controls which might contribute to the pathogenesis of BD.

23 keywords...

hide…