Serum and in vitro production of IL-1 receptor antagonist correlate with C-reactive protein levels in newly diagnosed, untreated lupus patients.

Abstract

In lupus patients, serum IL-1 beta, IL-6 or TNF-alpha levels failed to correlate with low CRP levels. This indicates a complicated CRP production process, which can not be explained solely by single cytokines as reported previously. Both serum and in vitro produced IL-1ra may be applied clinically as a surrogate CRP marker in untreated lupus patients as they are both correlated with serum CRP.