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Elevated serum interleukin-33 levels in patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura

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Abstract

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis and is known as an immunoglobulin (Ig) A related immune complex-mediated disease. However, the molecular mechanisms in the development of HSP are not yet fully understood. Herein, we investigated the serum levels of Interleukin (IL)-33 and soluble ST2 (sST2) in HSP patients and their association with disease severity and IgA autoantibodies production. The serum levels of IL-33 and sST2 were measured by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the serum of 33 patients with HSP and 22 controls. Serum levels of IgA anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) and IgA anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) in HSP patients were detected by double antigen sandwich ELISA. Our results indicated that serum levels of IL-33 but not sST2 were significantly elevated in patients with HSP in acute stage and restored to normal levels in convalescent stage. Moreover, serum IL-33 levels were correlated with the severity of HSP and serum concentrations of AECA-IgA and ACA-IgA. Taken together, we show firstly that serum IL-33 is abnormally elevated in HSP patients. IL-33 might be associated with the IgA autoantibodies production in the pathogenesis of HSP.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported with grants from Natural Science Foundation of China (81101198).

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Correspondence to Zai-pei Guo.

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T. Chen and R. Jia contributed equally to this work.

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Chen, T., Jia, Rz., Guo, Zp. et al. Elevated serum interleukin-33 levels in patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Arch Dermatol Res 305, 173–177 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-012-1268-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-012-1268-7

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