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Interleukin-17A Levels Increase in Serum of Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Gordana Vijatov-Djuric1,2, Aleksandra Doronjski1,2, Igor Mitic1,3
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
Insights
Serum interleukin-17A (IL-17A) levels are elevated in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Higher IL-17A levels correlate with increased disease activity and specific clinical features, aiding early risk detection in JIA patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory condition in children.
- Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in autoimmune diseases.
- Understanding IL-17A's role in JIA may offer insights into disease pathogenesis and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify serum IL-17A levels in children diagnosed with JIA.
- To investigate the association between IL-17A levels and JIA disease activity.
- To explore correlations between IL-17A and clinical/laboratory markers of inflammation in JIA.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 30 children with active JIA and 30 age/sex-matched healthy controls.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure serum IL-17A concentrations.
- Clinical assessments included disease activity scores, joint involvement, and inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP).
Main Results:
- Children with JIA exhibited significantly higher serum IL-17A levels compared to healthy controls.
- IL-17A levels decreased significantly in JIA patients who achieved inactive disease.
- Elevated IL-17A correlated with increased coxofemoral joint arthritis, higher ESR and CRP levels, and greater JADAS-27 scores.
Conclusions:
- Serum IL-17A is a potential biomarker for active inflammation in JIA.
- Measuring IL-17A in early JIA may help identify children at risk of poor functional outcomes.
- Targeting IL-17A pathways could be a future therapeutic strategy for JIA management.
Objectives:
This study aims to determine the serum levels of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and analyze the correlation between IL-17A values and disease activity, certain clinical features, and laboratory markers of inflammation.
Patients And Methods:
The study included 30 children (7 boys, 23 girls; mean age 8.8±5.3 years; range 1 to 18 years), who had been diagnosed with JIA (18 children were diagnosed during the study period and 12 children were diagnosed before the start of the study) and had active disease during the study period. Control group included 30 healthy, age- and sex- matched children (9 boys, 21 girls; mean age 8.3±4.8 years; range 1 to 18 years). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess the serum IL-17A levels of children with JIA in the active phase of the disease and control group. Clinical and laboratory features of the disease were evaluated for the children with JIA.
Results:
Serum levels of IL-17A in children with JIA were significantly higher in comparison to control group. In children with JIA who were prospectively monitored, statistically significantly decreased IL-17A level was recorded in the inactive phase of the disease. The incidence of arthritis of coxofemoral joints was significantly more common, and the mean levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in the group of children with JIA with detectable levels of IL-17A. Children with JIA and detectable levels of IL-17A had significantly higher values of Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score-27 in comparison to children with JIA and non-detectable IL-17A.
Conclusion:
Assessment of serum IL-17A levels in early phases of JIA gives an opportunity for early detection of children that have higher risk for worse functional outcome.
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