Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a member of IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family which possesses pro- and anti-inflammatory properties and participates in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases. In our case-control study, plasma was collected from healthy subjects as control group (n = 40) and patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) (n = 40), including new identified cases without treatment (n = 12) and those treated with Interferon beta (IFN-β) (n = 28). The plasma level of IL-27 was assessed by ELISA method. Our results indicated that plasma level of IL-27 in MS patients increased significantly compared to the control subjects (P = 0.027). Furthermore, after parting case group into the two sub-groups, results revealed a significant difference of IL-27 plasma levels between control group and treated patients (P < 0.001), but not about that of between healthy subjects and untreated MS patients (P = 0.259). Also, mean levels of IL-27 in treated and untreated patients showed a significant difference (P = 0.007). These results demonstrate the possible modulation of IL-27 during autoimmune disease in human which may suggest the suppressive or therapeutic role of IL-27 on inflammatory diseases.
Cytokines are implicated in the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Interleukin (IL)-33, one of the recently discovered members of the IL-1 superfamily, is a dual functional cytokine involved in various autoimmune disorders. In a case-control study, venous blood was collected from healthy subjects categorized as control group (n = 44) and MS patients (n = 44). All recruited patients were clinically diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), including patients without treatment (new identified cases, n = 16) and those treated with interferon beta (IFN-β) (n = 28). The plasma levels of IL-33 in subjects were measured with ELISA. Significantly elevated IL-33 plasma levels were observed in RRMS patients (p = 0.005). Furthermore, IFN-β-treated MS patients had lower levels of IL-33 compared to the untreated patients (p < 0.001). Increased IL-33 plasma levels in the patient group might be associated with development of MS. These results could contribute to our better understanding about the role of IL-33 in the immunopathogenesis of MS.
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