Decreased serum levels of interleukin‐17, interleukin‐23, TGF ‐β in pemphigus vulgaris patients, and their association with disease phase

Abstract

The exact pathogenesis of Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) has remained unclear, but it seems that cytokines play critical roles in this disease. This study aims to assess the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-β in PV patients and compare the results to the healthy controls. Serum levels of IL6, IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-β were successfully determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 27 newly diagnosed PV, 32 patients in remission, and 29 healthy controls. It was shown that the mean serum levels of IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-β serum are significantly different among the PV patients and healthy controls (P values: <.001, .001, and .003, respectively). It was found that new PV patients have lower serum levels of IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-β as compared to healthy controls (P values: <.001, <.001, and .003, respectively). Regarding IL-6, no significant difference was observed between the healthy controls and the other two groups of patients. IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-β are involved in the pathogenesis of PV. However, more studies are required to clarify their exact roles in the immunopathogenesis of PV.

A Snapshot of T Cell Subset Cytokines in Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In addition, our study demonstrates that TGF-β1 levels in PV were lower than in the control group. Earlier studies have shown that TGF-β1 levels in the blood of PV patients are lower, which is related to fewer peripheral Treg cells [ 21 , 26 ]. Th17 cells and induced Treg cells require TGF-β1 in the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 during the naive stage of development [ 27 ].…”

The IL-23/IL-17 Pathway in Inflammatory Skin Diseases: From Bench to Bedside

“…The frequency of CD4 + IL-17 + cells and the level of IL-23R mRNA show increases in the serum of patients with pemphigus foliaceus (164), in contrast to showing decreases in newly diagnosed patients with pemphigus vulgaris (165). This may be a result of the Th17 cells have plasticity and converting to Th1-like Th17 cells (165)(166)(167). There are some reports that the frequency of Th17 cells and level of IL-17 show decreases in other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as lipopolysaccharides responsive beige-like anchor protein deficiency (165,167).…”

“…In the serum and lesional skin of patients with pemphigus vulgaris, the levels of IL-23 and IL-17 increase, both are significantly correlated with diseases severity (162,163). The frequency of CD4 + IL-17 + cells and the level of IL-23R mRNA show increases in the serum of patients with pemphigus foliaceus (164), in contrast to showing decreases in newly diagnosed patients with pemphigus vulgaris (165). This may be a result of the Th17 cells have plasticity and converting to Th1-like Th17 cells (165)(166)(167).…”

“…This may be a result of the Th17 cells have plasticity and converting to Th1-like Th17 cells (165)(166)(167). There are some reports that the frequency of Th17 cells and level of IL-17 show decreases in other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as lipopolysaccharides responsive beige-like anchor protein deficiency (165,167).…”

El papel de las células T en la inmunopatogénesis del pénfigo vulgar

“…Existen algunos estudios que no han encontrado diferencias 29 o han reportado que la respuesta Th17 es más baja en el PV que en los controles 30,31 . En el estudio de Mortazavi et al 29 se siguió a los pacientes (n = 31) de forma prospectiva durante 6 meses (visita basal, 3 semanas y 6 meses), y se encontró un nivel mayor de citocinas Th17 en los pacientes con PV en comparación con los controles, aunque no se observaron cambios significativos en los niveles de citocinas en los pacientes a lo largo del seguimiento; sin embargo, este estudio tiene como falla que se analizó de forma paramétrica, mientras que los valores tenían un comportamiento no paramétrico.…”