Relationship between IL-18 and sICAM-1 serum levels in patients affected by coeliac disease: preliminary considerations.
OBJECTIVE
Cytokine production from activated T cells play a pathogenetic role in mucosal lesions of coeliac disease (CD). Active interleukin (IL)-18 is expressed in the small intestinal mucosa in CD but not in healthy controls. IL-18 enhances intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. We analyzed IL-18 serum levels in CD patients before and after gluten-free diet and the possible correlation with soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) serum levels.


METHODS
The study comprises ten CD patients before and after gluten free diet and ten healthy controls. Serum IL-18 and sICAM-1 levels were assayed by immunoenzymatic methods.


RESULTS
Serum IL-18 and sICAM-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with CD before diet with respect to healthy controls (P<0.05), with a highly significant correlation between the two parameters (Rho=0.800, P=0.0167). Gluten free diet significantly reduces IL-18 and sICAM-1.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that IL-18 serum concentrations correlated with the clinical status of CD patients suggesting a role for this cytokine in the pathophysiology of this disease.
Merendino
Rosaria Alba
RA
Chair of Immunopathology, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina Medical School, University Hospital 'G. Martino', Via Centonze no. 200, is. 98, 98123, Messina, Italy.
Di Pasquale
Giuseppe
G
Sturniolo
Giacomo Carlo
GC
Ruello
Antonella
A
Albanese
Vincenzo
V
Minciullo
Paola Lucia
PL
Di Mauro
Sebastiano
S
Gangemi
Sebastiano
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005983:Glutens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
D020382:Interleukin-18; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D005983:Glutens