STUDIES OF SEVERAL BLOOD CYTOKINES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: CLINICAL AND IMMUNOLOGAL INTERRRELATIONS

Abstract

Blood levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and interferon γ (IFNγ) are shown to be increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as compared to normal values. An increase of TNFα levels is shown to correlate with higher activity of inflammatory process, as well as with extra-articulate lesions in patients. Concentration of IFNγ proved to be significantly connected with activity of inflammatory process, and at later terms of the disorder ( > 1 year). TNFα and IFNγ levels are interconnected with joint lesions and functional scores of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords

• rheumatoid arthritis
• cytokines
• tumor necrosis factor-α
• interferon-γ