Serum IL-33 higher in psoriasis patients

[Fred]

This study looked at Serum IL-33 levels in people with psoriasis before and after anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α therapy.

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Background:
Interleukin (IL)-33 is a recently identified cytokine, which is a member of the IL-1 family and binds to a heterodimeric receptor comprising ST2 (suppression of tumorigenicity 2) and IL-1 receptor accessory protein. Serum levels of IL-33 have been reported to be upregulated in various T helper (Th)1/Th17-mediated diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. IL-33 expression is increased in lesional skin in patients with psoriasis, but serum levels in patients with psoriasis have not yet been studied.

Aim:
To study serum IL-33 levels in patients with psoriasis, a Th1/Th17-mediated skin disease, before and after anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α therapy.

Methods:
Serum IL-33 levels were measured in patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PV), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or pustular psoriasis (PP), and compared with those of healthy controls. Associations between serum IL-33 levels and serum TNF-α, IL-6, vascular endothelial growth factor and C-reactive protein levels were also studied. In addition, the effect of IL-33 stimulation on IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and VEGF secretion by human keratinocyte was analysed.

Results:
Serum IL-33 levels in patients with PV, PsA and PP were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. Serum IL-33 levels correlated with serum TNF-α levels in patients with psoriasis, and decreased after anti-TNF-α therapy. IL-33 stimulated IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by human keratinocytes.

Conclusions:
These results suggest that serum IL-33 levels generally reflect increased inflammation in patients with psoriasis.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Funding: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan

[Caroline]

They should also measure this with the different medications that are currently being used. That looks like an interesting next step.