IL-6 as a target in autoimmune disease and inflammation

Relationship between Vitreous IL-6 Levels, Gender Differences and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in a Blood Sample of Posterior Uveitis

This study retrospectively determined the relationship between vitreous IL-6 levels and clinical and laboratory data collected from uveitis patients. We examined an unknown cause of posterior uveitis, collecting vitreous fluid to investigate vitreous IL-6 levels. The samples were analyzed in consideration of clinical and laboratory factors, such as the male/female ratio. The present study included 82 eyes from 77 patients with a mean age of 66.20 ± 15.41 years. The IL-6 concentrations of the vitreous specimens were 6255.0 ± 14,108.3 pg/mL in males and 277.6 ± 746.3 pg/mL in females, which was found to be a statistically significant difference (p = 0.048) (n = 82). There was also a statistically significant correlation between vitreous IL-6 concentrations, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) value and white blood cell counts (WBCs) (n = 82). In multivariate analysis, vitreous IL-6 levels were significantly correlated with gender and CRP in all cases (p = 0.048 and p < 0.01, respectively) and were also significantly correlated with CRP in non-infectious uveitis (p < 0.01). In infectious uveitis, there were no significant differences between IL-6 level and several variables. Vitreous IL-6 concentrations were higher in males than in females in all cases. In non-infectious uveitis, vitreous IL-6 levels were correlated with serum CRP. These results might suggest that intraocular IL-6 levels depend on gender differences in posterior uveitis, and intraocular IL-6 levels in non-infectious uveitis may reflect systemic inflammations, including increased serum CRP.

Exacerbation of Ulcerative Colitis with Tocilizumab: A Report of Two Cases, One with Takayasu Arteritis and the Other with Relapsing Polychondritis

Tocilizumab (TCZ), a biologic that blocks the signal transduction of interleukin-6, has been used for the treatment of various autoimmune diseases. Many of these cases are sometimes complicated by ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the effect of TCZ on UC is unclear. We experienced two cases with concomitant UC that were treated with TCZ, one for Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and the other for relapsing polychondritis (RP). TCZ did not improve UC in either of these cases. TCZ might have adverse effects on the intestinal tract, since interleukin-6 signaling plays an important role in intestinal epithelium maintenance. Treatment with TCZ should therefore be carefully provided in patients complicated with UC.