Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Interleukin-6, and Interferon-Gamma during the Active Phases of Bechet’s Disease, Pustular Psoriasis, Palmoplantar Pustulosis, and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: A Pilot Study

Satoshi Nakamura, Keiko Tak

Abstract

Inflammatory serum cytokines are produced by lymphocytes and target organs in inflammatory skin diseases. Changes in cytokines fluctuate daily during disease activity. Comparisons of serum cytokine levels, cytokine species, or flow cytometric changes during the disease course might not be adequate. In addition, daily target organ examinations are difficult. In this report, we determined disease-specific cytokine balances by continuously measuring the levels of inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin-6 [IL-6], interferon gamma [IFN-gamma], and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha [TNFalpha, TNF-a]) in patients with Bechet’s Disease (BD), Pustular Psoriasis (PP), Palmoplantar Pustulosis (PPP), and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) during the course of the disease activity. We compared these cytokines in various cutaneous inflammatory diseases activities. Furthermore, participations of inflammatory lymphocytes subsets were considered.