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Interleukin-18 is a key mediator in dermatomyositis: potential contribution to development of interstitial lung

Takahisa Gono1, Yasushi Kawaguchi, Tomoko Sugiura

  • 1Institute of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo 162-0054, Japan. y-kawa@ior.twmu.ac.jp

Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|July 6, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is significantly elevated in dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) patients, correlating with disease activity and interstitial lung disease (ILD) complications in DM. This highlights IL-18

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Rheumatology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine with a known role in various autoimmune conditions.
  • Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are idiopathic inflammatory myopathies characterized by muscle inflammation and potential systemic involvement, including interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role and levels of serum Interleukin-18 (IL-18) in patients diagnosed with dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM).
  • To assess the association between IL-18 levels and clinical parameters, disease activity, and the presence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in DM and PM patients.

Main Methods:

  • Serum IL-18 levels were measured in 33 DM patients (25 with ILD) and 16 PM patients (6 with ILD) upon admission for treatment.
  • Levels were compared to those of 30 healthy controls.
  • Correlations between IL-18, ferritin, creatine kinase (CK), and ILD status were analyzed in DM patients.

Main Results:

  • Serum IL-18 was significantly higher in both DM and PM patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001).
  • DM patients exhibited significantly higher serum IL-18 and ferritin levels than PM patients (P = 0.0044 and P = 0.003, respectively).
  • Elevated IL-18 and ferritin levels were observed in DM patients with ILD compared to those without ILD (P = 0.034 and P = 0.023, respectively).
  • Significant positive correlations were found between IL-18, ferritin, and creatine kinase (CK) in DM patients, particularly those with ILD.

Conclusions:

  • Serum IL-18 is markedly elevated in patients with DM and PM.
  • IL-18 levels are particularly associated with disease activity and the complication of ILD in DM patients.
  • These findings suggest IL-18 may serve as a potential biomarker for disease activity and ILD in DM.

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