Cytokine profile of the rheumatoid nodule suggests that it is a Th1 granuloma

Abstract

The cytokine profile within the rheumatoid nodule (i.e., presence of IFNgamma but not IL-2, and prominent expression of IL-1beta and TNFalpha together with IL-12, IL-18, IL-15, and IL-10) is similar to the profile of cytokines in the synovial lesion of rheumatoid arthritis, which is generally accepted as being attributable to a Th1-mediated inflammatory mechanism. Our results suggest that damage to affected synovial membrane or subcutaneous tissue is caused by the same inflammatory mechanisms, and that the nodule is a Th1 granuloma.