Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV
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J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · May 2004
Comparative StudyThe effect of extracorporeal photopheresis on intracellular cytokine expression in chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease.
Cytokines derived from T helper (Th)1 lymphocytes are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has been reported to affect Th1/Th2 lymphocyte ratios. It may also influence the balance of cytotoxic Tcells (Tc1/Tc2). ⋯ Our findings appear to be inconsistent with current theories regarding the pathogenesis of GVHD as increased production of Th1 or Tc1 cytokines might be expected to exacerbate GVHD. However, chronic GVHD is characterized by a relative deficiency of IL-2 and IFN-gamma producing cells compared with other patients post-bone marrow transplantation (BMT). This indicates that Th1 and Tc1 cytokines are depleted in chronic GVHD. Thus, by reducing disease activity, ECP could allow cytokine production by these cells to recover. This indicates that the therapeutic effect of ECP is mediated by a different mechanism, and that the changes observed in this study are epiphenomena.
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J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol · May 2004
Comparative StudySerum interleukin-6, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels in subjects with active Behçet's disease.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines, including serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) have been proposed as disease activity markers in Behçet's disease (BD), although studies have shown conflicting results for IL-6. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels in active BD have not yet been investigated. ⋯ The results of our study suggest that serum CRP and IL-6 levels are elevated in patients with active BD, but that serum PCT values are not elevated in these patients.