Free IL-18 and IL-33 cytokines in chronic spontaneous urticaria

• Published in: Cytokine (Philadelphia, Pa.) Pa.), 2013-03, Vol.61 (3), p.741-743
• Main Authors: Puxeddu, I., Italiani, P., Giungato, P., Pratesi, F., Panza, F., Bartaloni, D., Rocchi, V., Del Corso, I., Boraschi, D., Migliorini, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; blood serum; Chronic Disease; Chronic urticaria; Cytokine; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Female; Humans; IL-18; IL-18BP; IL-33; Inflammation; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; Interleukin 18; Interleukin-18 - blood; Interleukin-33; Interleukins - blood; Male; Middle Aged; patients; Serum levels; Skin tests; Urticaria; Urticaria - blood; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1043-4666; 1096-0023
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2013.01.015

► In chronic spontaneous urticaria free IL-18 is increased. ► IL-18 binding protein counteracts the inflammatory effects of IL-18. ► IL-33 does not play a role in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Overproduction of IL-18 has been described in chronic urticaria. To evaluate free IL-18 and IL-33 in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). IL-18, its inhibitor IL-18BP, IL-33 and its soluble receptor ST2 (sST2) were measured (ELISA) in the sera of 73 CSU patients. Free IL-18 was calculated (law of mass action). Autologous serum skin test (ASST) was performed in all patients. Total IL-18, IL-18BP and free IL-18 serum levels were significantly higher in CSU than in controls. IL-18 and IL-18BP increased significantly in both ASST-positive and negative subgroups. Free IL-18 resulted significantly higher in the ASST-negative, but not in the ASST-positive subgroup. No differences in IL-33/sST2 levels were detected between CSU and controls. Increased levels of free IL-18 and IL-18BP, but not IL-33, was detected in CSU. Whether IL-18 up-regulation is a consequence of inflammation or one of the causes of the pathology needs to be addressed.