ISSN:
1437-160X
Keywords:
Rheumatoid arthritis
;
Anemia
;
Erythroid colony growth
;
Interleukin-6
;
IL-6
;
anti-IL-6
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Serum and bone marrow from 21 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied in order to establish the pathogenetic role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in anemia of chronic disease (ACD). Erythroid colony growth, using burst forming units of erythroblasts (BFUe) as a parameter, was impaired in ACD and not in nonanemic RA controls. Serum IL-6 was elevated in ACD and it correlated well with parameters of disease activity such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. IL-6 addition to bone marrow cultures had inconsistent effects while anti-IL-6 addition resulted in impaired erythroid colony growth, suggesting stimulatory effects of IL-6 produced in the medium, which may be masked by simultaneous production of cytokines with suppressive effects. It was concluded that elevated serum IL-6 in ACD reflects disease activity. It probably plays no pathogenetic role in ACD. Its stimulatory effects on erythroid growth might counteract suppressive effects of other interleukins.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02274827
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