Sweet's syndrome: is the pathogenesis mediated by helper T cell type 1 cytokines?

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of Sweet's syndrome (acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis; SS) is still not fully understood. An imbalance between helper T cell types 1 and 2 cytokine secretion patterns has been shown to be relevant in many diseases.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the serum cytokine levels (interleukin [IL]-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, interferon gamma [IFN-gamma], IL-4) in patients with SS.

METHODS

Eight patients with SS were analyzed for their clinical features and serum cytokine levels and compared with normal control subjects.

RESULTS

In patients serum levels of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, and IFN-gamma were significantly elevated, whereas the IL-4 level was within the normal range.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the pathogenesis of SS is probably mediated through helper T cell type 1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-gamma) rather than helper T cell type 2 cytokines (IL-4).