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Increased serum interleukin-18 in a patient
with systemic lupus erythematosus and T-cell large granular lymphocytic
leukemia
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| Atsushi Ogata1 , Masayasu Kitano1, Maki Fukamizu1,
Teruaki Hamano1 and Hajime Sano1 |
| (1) Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal
Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya,
663-8131, Japan |
Received: 29 September 2003
Accepted: 01 March 2004
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| Abstract |
| Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a potent cofactor
for T-helper (Th-1) cell development and inducer of cytotoxic T lymphocytes
(CTL), and is reported to contribute to autoimmune diseases. T-cell
large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) leukemia involves the proliferation
of autoreactive CTL that is often associated with autoimmune disorders.
We found increased serum IL-18 concentrations in a 55-year-old woman
with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and T-LGL-leukemia. Her serum
IL-18 concentrations correlated with the intensity of her SLE symptoms
and the number of T-LGL cells in peripheral blood. This evidence
suggests that IL-18 is involved in T-LGL-related autoimmune disorders. |
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| Key words |
| Interleukin 18 (IL-18) - Systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE) - T-cell large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) leukemia |
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