Assessment of Interleukin-33 Levels in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever
Asil Demirezen1, Aslihan Avanoğlu Güler2, Hazan Karadeniz2
1Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, 06500, Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey.
Background:
This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between serum interleukin-33 (IL-33) levels and clinical features of the disease in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF).
Methods:
Fifty-four patients diagnosed with FMF (28 colchicine responsive and 26 colchicine resistant) and 29 healthy controls constituted the study population. Demographic, clinical, biochemical and inflammatory parameters, as well as serum IL-33 levels of the participants, were compared.
Results:
The mean age of FMF patients was 34.3 ± 9.8 years, and 54% were female. Colchicine-resistant patients exhibited significantly higher median CRP levels than both colchicine-responsive patients and healthy controls (median [IQR]: 16 [30.4] mg/L, 2.9 [3.4] mg/L, and 3.4 [2.8] mg/L, respectively; p < 0.001). Median serum IL-33 levels were higher in FMF patients than in controls (273 [387] ng/L vs. 221 [179] ng/L, p = 0.06). The colchicine-responsive group had significantly higher IL-33 levels compared to the control group (287 [495] ng/L vs. 221 [179] ng/L, p = 0.006), while no significant difference was observed between the colchicine-resistant group and controls (257 [219] ng/L vs. 221 [179] ng/L, p = 0.74). No significant correlations were identified between IL-33 levels and inflammatory markers or clinical characteristics.
Conclusions:
Serum IL-33 levels do not seem to be associated with FMF disease activity; however, the observed increase in colchicine-responsive patients may indicate an immunomodulatory or compensatory function. Further comprehensive studies are needed to elucidate the role of IL-33 in FMF pathogenesis.
Insights
Serum interleukin-33 (IL-33) levels were higher in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients, particularly those responsive to colchicine. However, IL-33 did not correlate with FMF disease activity or clinical features.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Genetics
Background:
- Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a genetic autoinflammatory disorder.
- Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a cytokine implicated in inflammatory processes.
- Understanding biomarkers in FMF is crucial for disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum IL-33 levels and clinical characteristics in FMF patients.
- To compare IL-33 levels in colchicine-responsive, colchicine-resistant FMF patients, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Serum IL-33 levels were measured in 54 FMF patients (28 responsive, 26 resistant to colchicine) and 29 healthy controls.
- Demographic, clinical, biochemical, and inflammatory parameters were analyzed.
- Statistical comparisons were made between groups.
Main Results:
- FMF patients had higher median serum IL-33 levels than controls (p=0.06).
- Colchicine-responsive FMF patients showed significantly higher IL-33 levels than controls (p=0.006).
- No significant difference in IL-33 levels was found between colchicine-resistant patients and controls (p=0.74).
- Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) was observed in colchicine-resistant patients compared to other groups (p < 0.001).
- No significant correlations were found between IL-33 levels and inflammatory markers or clinical features.
Conclusions:
- Serum IL-33 levels do not appear to directly correlate with FMF disease activity.
- Increased IL-33 in colchicine-responsive FMF patients might suggest an immunomodulatory role.
- Further research is warranted to clarify the specific function of IL-33 in FMF pathogenesis.
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