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Serum cytokine levels in atopic dermatitis
Y Yoshizawa1, H Nomaguchi, S Izaki
1Department of Dermatology, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical School, Japan. yyusuke@cc.mbn.or.jp
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|June 20, 2002
Summary
Elevated interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels correlate with atopic dermatitis (AD) severity and may play a role in its pathogenesis. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) may inhibit immunoglobulin E (IgE) production in AD patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophilia, suggesting a type 2 T-helper (Th2) cytokine imbalance.
- The precise cross-regulation of T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 responses in AD requires further characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum cytokine levels, including interleukin (IL)-18, IL-12, IL-10, IL-2, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), in AD patients.
- To assess the relationship between these cytokine levels and the clinical severity of AD.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from AD patients and healthy controls were analyzed for cytokine concentrations.
- Statistical analyses were performed to determine correlations between cytokine levels, eosinophil counts, soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels, IgE levels, and clinical severity scores.
Main Results:
- Serum IL-18 levels were significantly higher in AD patients compared to controls and correlated with eosinophil counts, sIL-2R, and showed a trend towards correlation with disease severity and IgE levels.
- A significant inverse correlation was observed between IL-2 and IgE levels.
- IL-12 levels demonstrated a clear correlation with IL-10 levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum IL-18 may serve as a valuable biomarker for AD activity and potentially contributes to AD pathogenesis.
- IL-2 might inhibit IgE production in AD patients.
- The observed IL-12 and IL-10 correlation supports prior findings on IL-12-induced IL-10 production by immune cells.