title: Free IL-18 and IL-33 cytokines in chronic spontaneous urticaria.
abstract: Overproduction of IL-18 has been described in chronic urticaria. To evaluate free IL-18 and IL-33 in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). IL-18, its inhibitor IL-18BP, IL-33 and its soluble receptor ST2 (sST2) were measured (ELISA) in the sera of 73 CSU patients. Free IL-18 was calculated (law of mass action). Autologous serum skin test (ASST) was performed in all patients. Total IL-18, IL-18BP and free IL-18 serum levels were significantly higher in CSU than in controls. IL-18 and IL-18BP increased significantly in both ASST-positive and negative subgroups. Free IL-18 resulted significantly higher in the ASST-negative, but not in the ASST-positive subgroup. No differences in IL-33/sST2 levels were detected between CSU and controls. Increased levels of free IL-18 and IL-18BP, but not IL-33, was detected in CSU. Whether IL-18 up-regulation is a consequence of inflammation or one of the causes of the pathology needs to be addressed.
authors: Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Puxeddu
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Italiani
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Giungato
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Pratesi
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Panza
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Bartaloni
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Rocchi
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Del Corso
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Boraschi
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Migliorini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014581:Urticaria / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C506536:IL33 protein, human; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020382:Interleukin-18; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins; C118370:interleukin-18 binding protein