Comparison of Interleukin-33 serum levels in asthmatic patients with a control group and relation with the severity of the disease

Abstract

Background:The relation between interleukin-33 (IL-33) and asthma is not precisely known yet. The present study set to compare the serum level of IL-33 in patients with asthma and controls and study the relation with the severity of disease.Methods:The serum level of IL-33 and total IgE in 89 asthmatic patients and 57 controls were analyzed. The association of levels of IL-33 with the severity of disease, levels of total IgE, measures of spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1]), age, sex, presence or absence of other allergic diseases, and the disease duration was evaluated.Results:Higher levels of IL-33 and total IgE were detected in asthmatic patients compared with controls (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.008, respectively). In the asthmatic group, a significant direct association of IL-33 with age (P = 0.02, R = 0.23) and with total IgE level (P = 0.003, R = 0.31) were observed, but there was no relationship between other variables. Comparison of mean level of IL-33 in different asthma groups concerning the disease severity showed the statistically significant difference between them and a significant increased serum level of total IgE was observed in more severe disease. The results showed a significant negative correlation between FEV1 and total IgE (P = 0.028, R = −0.23) and IL-33 level (P = 0.0001, R = −0.83).Conclusions:IL-33 is suggested as a new inflammatory marker of severe and refractory asthma. Therefore, it may be a unique therapeutic target in these patients.

Exogenous Interleukin-33 Contributes to Protective Immunity via Cytotoxic T-Cell Priming against Mucosal Influenza Viral Infection

“…Previous studies have shown low but significantly elevated levels of serum IL-33 in patients with seasonal influenza A [30]. In contrast, higher levels of IL-33 were measured in asthmatic patients, and these levels increased with the severity of the disease, suggesting that elevated IL-33 is responsible for the exacerbation of asthmatic diseases [31]. IL-33 also regulates other allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis [32].…”

IL-33/ST2 Pathway and Galectin-3 as a New Analytes in Pathogenesis and Cardiometabolic Risk Evaluation in Psychosis

“…Thus, it is possible that IL-33 production is an attempt to limit inflammation accompanying relapse in schizophrenia. However, direct pathogenic effect cannot be excluded as ST2 dependent Th2 pathology reported to be common denominator in asthma and schizophrenia ( 57 ). Considering that sST2 binds directly to IL-33 or acts as a decoy receptor when competing with membrane bound ST2 [reviewed in 28 ], higher systemic level of sST2 in FEP and SC patients in relapse as well as negative correlation of this molecule with N subscore in acute psychosis may represent compensatory mechanism in suppressing IL-33-dependent inflammation.…”

Pleiotropic Effects of IL-33 on CD4+ T Cell Differentiation and Effector Functions

“…Finally, IL-33 is closely associated to asthma, since it is increased in asthmatic patients ( 154 ) and was shown to potentiate airway hyper-reactivity ( 136 ). Notably, IL-33 was shown to directly impair T REG cell function during antigen-driven type 2 airway hyper-reactivity ( 131 ) and enhance T H 2 differentiation through enhanced OX40 ligand interaction ( 155 ).…”