Pattern of TNF-α and IL-1β Expression in Vaso-Occlusive Crises among Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Rivers State, Nigeria

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterised by chronic hemolysis, frequent infections, and recurrent occlusions of microcirculation, which cause a painful vaso-occlusive crisis and result in chronic organ damage and failure. Occlusions of the microcirculation and infections are important factors that stimulate the production of cytokines. Cytokines seem to be involved with several possible mechanisms in the pathogenesis of vaso-occlusive phenomena in sickle cell disease. Comparative analysis of pro-inflammatory cytokine production during sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis gives an insight to the vaso-occlusive crisis markers for assessing disease severity.

Materials and Methods: TNF-α and IL-1β were measured by commercially available Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits in sickle cell disease patients (n = 49); in steady-state (n = 16) and in painful vaso-occlusive crisis (n = 33) and compared with age- and sex-matched normal healthy controls (n = 17).

Results: Sickle cell disease patients in vaso-occlusive crisis showed elevated levels of TNF-α (p < 0.05) as compared to normal healthy control patients. However, levels of IL-1β in sickle cell disease patients in vaso-occlusive crisis compared to normal healthy controls remained similar (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The study suggests that there is a relationship between the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease.