Enhanced Production Of Interleukin‐1 And Tumor Necrosis Factor α By Cultured Peripheral Blood Monocytes From Patients With Scleroderma

Abstract

Cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 20 patients with scleroderma were shown to produce high levels of interleukin-1α, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α. There were positive correlations between the production of these 3 molecules. Purified monocytes from these patients produced much more tumor necrosis factor α than did those from normal subjects, even without lipopolysaccharide stimulation. These results show the hyperactivity of monocytes from scleroderma patients.