PRODUCTION OF INTERLEUKIN-6 BY MONOCYTES ISOLATED FROM RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS RECEIVING SECOND-LINE DRUG THERAPY

Abstract

IL-6 production by peripheral blood monocytes isolated from RA patients receiving the second-line drugs auranofin (AUR), sulphasalazine (SASP) or gold sodium aurothiomalate (GST) was investigated. In patients receiving AUR a significant reduction in both basal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated IL-6 production by isolated cells was observed. Similarly, SASP significantly reduced basal IL-6 production. In contrast, monocytes isolated from individuals receiving GST had no significant change either in basal or LPS stimulated IL-6 production. We suggest an effect by AUR and SASP either on pre-monocytic cells in the bone marrow or on monocytes in the periphery may subsequently result in a reduction in IL-6 production by these cells once they have infiltrated the RA joint. This may be one way by which these therapies contribute to the beneficial effects seen in patients receiving these treatments.