Elevated serum level of IL-27 and VEGF in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and associate with disease activity.

Interleukin (IL)-27 is an IL-12 family cytokine and exerts a critical role in immune regulation in the context of infection, autoimmunity, and angiogenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible pathophysiological role of IL-27 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). One hundred and forty AS patients and 90 healthy controls were included in the current study. The levels of IL-27 and VEGF in serum and synovial fluid (SF) samples were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 were measured by standard laboratory techniques. Disease activity in AS was scored with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Hip involvement, peripheral arthritis, and eye involvement were also recorded. The serum levels of IL-27 were remarkably higher in AS patients than healthy groups and significantly correlated with serum levels of VEGF. Furthermore, the serum levels of IL-27 were correlated with BASDAI independent of other markers of inflammation. Elevated serum levels of IL-27 and VEGF were detected in AS patients with peripheral arthritis and HLA-B27 positive. The SF levels of IL-27 and VEGF were significantly higher than serum levels in AS patients with peripheral arthritis. By contrast, levels of IL-27 and VEGF were not increased in AS patients with hip involvement and eye involvement. IL-27 may regulate the immunological or inflammatory process of AS.

Elevated serum level of IL-33 and sST2 in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: associated with disease activity and vascular endothelial growth factor.

OBJECTIVE: Interleukin (IL)-33 is a cytokine belonging to the IL-1 family and was recently identified as a ligand for ST2, which belongs to the IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) family. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible pathophysiological role of IL-33/sST2 in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: The levels of IL-33/sST2 and vascular endothelial growth factor in serum samples of 140 patients with AS and 90 controls were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, and human leukocyte antigen B27 were measured by standard laboratory techniques. Disease activity in AS was measured by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index. Hip involvement, peripheral arthritis, and eye involvement were also recorded. RESULTS: The serum levels of IL-33/sST2 were remarkably higher in the patients with AS than the healthy groups and significantly correlated with vascular endothelial growth factor and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index. The sST2 levels correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, platelet, and human leukocyte antigen B27. Elevated levels of IL-33/sST2 were detected in the patients with peripheral arthritis, and sST2 were detected to be increased in the patients with hip involvement. By contrast, levels of IL-33 but not sST2 increased in the patients with eye involvement. CONCLUSION: IL-33/sST2 may regulate the immunological or inflammatory process of AS.