Disease Activity and Cytokine Production in Mitogen-Stimulated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Activated PBMCs of RA patients, regardless of disease activity, showed higher-level production of IL-8 and IL-10 compared to controls; lower-level production of IFN-gamma, IL-4, and IL-17; and elevated ratios of TNF-alpha/IL-13, IL-8/IL-4 and IL-8/IL-13.