Elevated serum interleukin-33 levels in patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Arch Dermatol Res. 2013 Mar;305(2):173-7. doi: 10.1007/s00403-012-1268-7. Epub 2012 Jul 27.

Abstract

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis and is known as an immunoglobulin (Ig) A related immune complex-mediated disease. However, the molecular mechanisms in the development of HSP are not yet fully understood. Herein, we investigated the serum levels of Interleukin (IL)-33 and soluble ST2 (sST2) in HSP patients and their association with disease severity and IgA autoantibodies production. The serum levels of IL-33 and sST2 were measured by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the serum of 33 patients with HSP and 22 controls. Serum levels of IgA anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) and IgA anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) in HSP patients were detected by double antigen sandwich ELISA. Our results indicated that serum levels of IL-33 but not sST2 were significantly elevated in patients with HSP in acute stage and restored to normal levels in convalescent stage. Moreover, serum IL-33 levels were correlated with the severity of HSP and serum concentrations of AECA-IgA and ACA-IgA. Taken together, we show firstly that serum IL-33 is abnormally elevated in HSP patients. IL-33 might be associated with the IgA autoantibodies production in the pathogenesis of HSP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / biosynthesis
  • Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / blood
  • Autoantibodies / biosynthesis
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Child
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • IgA Vasculitis / blood
  • IgA Vasculitis / diagnosis*
  • IgA Vasculitis / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin A / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins / blood*
  • Male
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / blood
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anticardiolipin
  • Autoantibodies
  • IL1RL1 protein, human
  • IL33 protein, human
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • anti-endothelial cell antibody