Elevated serum levels of soluble CD154 in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Serum from 77 children with JIA and 81 pediatric controls was analyzed for interleukin (IL)1β, IL2, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL8, IL10, IL12, IL13, sCD154, interferon-γ (IFNγ), soluble IL2 receptor (sIL2R), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), using the Luminex Multi-Analyte Profiling system. Differences in levels of cytokines between cases and controls were analyzed. Logistic regression was also performed.sCD154 was significantly elevated in cases compared to controls (p < 0.0001). IL1β, IL5, IL6, IL8, IL13, IFNγ, sIL2R, and TNFα were also significantly elevated in JIA. Levels of sCD154 were highly correlated with IL1β, IL6, IL8, and TNFα (p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis suggested that IL6 (odds ratio (OR): 1.4, p < 0.0001), sCD154 (OR: 1.1, p < 0.0001), and TNFα (OR: 1.1, p < 0.005) were positively associated with JIA, while IL10 (OR: 0.5, p < 0.002) was protective. sCD154 was elevated in all JIA subtypes, with highest levels among more severe subtypes. IL1β, IL6, IL8, sIL2R and TNFα were also elevated in several JIA subtypes.Serum levels of sCD154, IL1β, IL6, IL8, sIL2R and TNFα are elevated in most JIA subtypes, suggesting a major role for sCD154, and these cytokines and cytokine receptors in the pathogenesis of JIA.Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous group of arthropathies of unknown etiology. Both genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role in susceptibility to JIA. One way to improve the understanding of the etiopathogenesis of JIA is to define better biological phenotypes of JIA. A common feature of the different subtypes of JIA is a tumor-like expansion of the inflamed synovial tissue, which is infiltrated by inflammatory cells including macrophages, plasma cells and lymphocytes. The production of inflammatory cytokines by these cells is thought to be instrumental in the development and perpetuation of the inflammatory arthritis. Several cytokines secreted by activated macrophages and lymphocytes such as interleukin (IL)1