Turan B et al. – Soluble tumour necrosis factor receptors2 (sTNFR2) plasma concentrations are closely linked with active Behcet's disease (BD), and especially with arthritis. Taken together with the expression of TNFR molecules in mast cells of mucocutaneous lesions, these results indicate a fundamental role for the TNF/TNFR pathway in BD. Methods
Study to analyse the production of sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 at sites of inflammation and to evaluate them as biological markers of disease activity
Plasma samples of 35 pts with BD were collected/month and grouped for inactive disease, active BD w/o arthritis, and active BD with arthritis
sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 concs were measured using immunoassays and compared with other biological disease activity parameters
Plasma sTNFR levels were compared to synovial fluid (SF) levels in 7 pts
16 tissue samples of mucocutaneous lesions were stained for TNFR2 expression by IHC
Results
sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 were at increased plasma concs in active BD, with the highest concentration in active BD with arthritis
Concs of both sTNFRs were at least three times higher in SF of arthritic joints than in the corresponding plasma samples
A change of more than 1 ng/mL of sTNFR2 plasma concentrations correlated with a concordant change in arthritic activity
Sensitivity to change was superior to that of sTNFR1, and other biological disease activity parameters such as ESR, IgG, IgA, and IL-10 plasma concs
A strong staining for TNFR2 was found in mucocutaneous lesions, where mast cells were identified as the major source for this receptor
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