Interleukin-33 plasma levels in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Cytokines are implicated in the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Interleukin (IL)-33, one of the recently discovered members of the IL-1 superfamily, is a dual functional cytokine involved in various autoimmune disorders. In a case-control study, venous blood was collected from healthy subjects categorized as control group (n=44) and MS patients (n=44). All recruited patients were clinically diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), including patients without treatment (new identified cases, n=16) and those treated with interferon beta (IFN-β) (n=28). The plasma levels of IL-33 in subjects were measured with ELISA. Significantly elevated IL-33 plasma levels were observed in RRMS patients (p=0.005). Furthermore, IFN-β-treated MS patients had lower levels of IL-33 compared to the untreated patients (p<0.001). Increased IL-33 plasma levels in the patient group might be associated with development of MS. These results could contribute to our better understanding about the role of IL-33 in the immunopathogenesis of MS.