Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access

Abstract

Serum Level of Interleukin 33 and its Relation with Disease Activity and Clinical Presentation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Mohamed A Toama, Abdalla H Kandil, Mohamed H Mourad, Mohamed I Soliman and Abdulla M Esawy

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by abnormal production of autoantibodies and proinflammatory cytokines. Both Th1 and Th2 responses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE. IL-33 is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory arthritis like as family members, IL-1 and IL-18. IL-33 induce production of IL-5, IL-13 and hypergammaglobulinaemia.
Objective: To estimate serum levels of IL-33 in SLE and if levels correlated with disease activity and clinical presentation.
Methods: This study was carried out on 24 patients diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for SLE and 18 apparently healthy persons as control, clinical examination and laboratory investigations were done and measurment of IL-33 level in the serum by ELISA.
Results: The most frequent clinical finding in SLE patients was arthritis (87.5%). A significant increase in serum IL-33 levels was found in SLE patients than control persons (P<0.001). Positive significant correlation was found between IL-33 and ESR, CRP, serum creatinine and SLE disease activity index (P<0.001). No significant correlation was detected between IL-33 and RBCs, WBCs, platelet count, haemoglobin and serum urea nitrogen.
Conclusion: The serum IL-33 level was significantly higher in SLE patients than control group and its level was significantly related to disease activity. IL-33 may play a role in the inflammatory (flare) phase of SLE and may have a role in local inflammation of tissues as arthritis and lupus nephritis.