Increased plasma IL-17, IL-31, and IL-33 levels in chronic spontaneous urticaria

Sci Rep. 2017 Dec 19;7(1):17797. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-18187-z.

Abstract

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is considered in a subset of patients to be an autoimmune disorder. Interleukin(IL)-17, IL-31, and IL-33 are involved in some immune response. The aim of this study was to quantify plasma IL-17, IL-31, and IL-33 levels in CSU patients and to examine their relationships with disease severity. Plasma IL-17, IL-31, and IL-33 concentration were measured in 51 CSU patients and 20 healthy subjects (HCs). Plasma IL-17 (P < 0.001), IL-31 (P < 0.001), and IL-33 (P < 0.001) concentrations were significantly higher in CSU patients when compared with those of HCs. Concerning UAS7, severe group of CSU patients had significantly higher IL-17 levels than the moderate and mild groups (P = 0.028 and 0.007, respectively), and significantly higher IL-33 concentrations than the mild group (P = 0.026). Regarding only pruritus, severe group of patients had significantly higher IL-31 levels than the mild group (P = 0.003). The IL-33 levels in the total IgE positive group were significantly higher than that of negative group (P = 0.010). Our results showed higher plasma levels of IL-17, IL-31, and IL-33 among CSU patients which may highlight a functional role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of CSU.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoimmune Diseases / blood
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / blood*
  • Interleukin-33 / blood*
  • Interleukins / blood*
  • Male
  • Plasma / metabolism*
  • Urticaria / blood*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • IL31 protein, human
  • IL33 protein, human
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins