title: Serum levels of IL-33 and its receptor ST2 are elevated in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to measure the levels of interleukin (IL)-33 and ST2 and T-helper (Th)2-associated cytokines (IL-13, IL-4, IL-5) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and examine the correlation of serum cytokine levels with disease activity and laboratory parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum IL-33, IL-13, IL-4, and IL-5 levels were assessed by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA levels of IL-33 and ST2 were quantified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), in 43 AS samples and compared with 27 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum IL-33, IL-13, and IL-4 levels were increased significantly in AS patients compared with controls (p < 0.01); moreover, serum IL-33 and IL-13 levels were significantly higher in patients with active AS than in those with inactive AS (p < 0.05). The serum levels of IL-5 showed no significant difference between AS patients and controls (p > 0.05). Serum IL-33 levels were positively correlated with both IL-13 (r = 0.306, p < 0.01) and IL-4 levels (r = 0.432, p < 0.01). The mRNA levels of IL-33 and ST2 were significantly different between AS patients and controls (p < 0.01) but not between active and inactive AS patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum levels of IL-33 could partially reflect AS disease activity and indicate that IL-33/ST2 signalling plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AS.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, PR China.
authors: G-X
authors: GX
authors: Li
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Wang
authors: Z-H
authors: ZH
authors: Duan
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Zeng
authors: F-M
authors: FM
authors: Pan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000072179:Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000097:blood*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000097:blood*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C079241:IL1RL1 protein, human; C506536:IL33 protein, human; D000072179:Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface