title: Serum IL-33 but not ST2 level is elevated in intermittent allergic rhinitis and is a marker of the disease severity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Th2 cells play an important role in intermittent allergic rhinitis (IAR). Interleukin (IL)-33 stimulates the production of Th2-associated cytokines. IL-33 binds to ST2 receptor which is highly expressed on mast cells and selectively on Th2 cells. IL-33 and ST2 might be involved in the Th2-mediated immune response.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We analyzed the serum level of IL-33 and its receptor ST2 in patients with IAR sensitive to grass and/or tree pollen to assess if the serum level of IL-33 and/or ST2 may be a marker of the disease severity.
  
  
  METHODS
  IL-33, ST2 and total immunoglobulin (Ig) E were measured in sera of patients with IAR sensitive to birch and/or grass pollen and in patients with controlled bronchial asthma and in non-allergic controls. IAR severity was assessed by total nasal symptom score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum levels of IL-33 in patients with IAR were comparable with patients with bronchial asthma and were significantly higher in patients with IAR (P=0.0035) and in patients with bronchial asthma (P=0.008) than in controls. Serum levels of IL-33 correlated with disease severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated level of IL-33 in sera of patients with IAR sensitive to tree and/or grass pollen and the correlation of IL-33 with the disease severity suggest that IL-33 is involved in the pathogenesis of intermittent allergic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Ceglana 35, 40-952, Katowice, Poland. joagluck@mp.pl
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Glück
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rymarczyk
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rogala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D000072179:Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000097:blood; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014197:Trees / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; C079241:IL1RL1 protein, human; C506536:IL33 protein, human; D000072179:Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D007073:Immunoglobulin E