Abstract
Autoantibodies against cytokines including IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, interferons, TNF α have been recently reported by several investigators. Some of them [IL-1α, interferons (IFNs) and TNFα] are found in some normal sera. However, increased frequencies and titers of these autoantibodies have been demonstrated in certain pathological conditions. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the frequency of anti-IL-1α autoantibody was about 3 times (15%) more frequent than in normal subjects. Potent neutralizing activities and high affinity to IL-1α of the autoantibodies are also characteristics. Other investigators have reported the increased frequency of anti-IFNγ autoantibody in patients with recent virus infection and anti-TNF α autoantibody in patients with gram-negative bacterial infections.
The mechanism by which these anti-cytokine autoantibodies are induced rematins to be determined. Antigenic stimulation of cytokines seems to be involved as a cause of the development of these autoantibodies in certain pathological states. Though pathophysiological roles of these anti-cytokine autoantibodies are still obscure, demonstration of neutralizing activities of most of these antibodies suggest a possible regulatory role in in vivo cytokine activities.
