Exploring the role of immune biomarkers in idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: A clinical and pathological perspective

• Published in: Human immunology 2024-12, Vol.86 (1), p.111222, Article 111222
• Main Authors: Aydın, Umut, Karataş, Ahmet, Artaş, Gökhan, Öz, Burak, Aydoğdu, Mesude Seda, Artaş, Hakan, Akkoç, Ramazan Fazıl, Akar, Zeynel Abidin, Koca, Süleyman Serdar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Galectin-3; Granulomatous mastitis; IL-36α; Immune biomarker; LL-37; TLR3
• ISSN: 0198-8859; 1879-1166; 1879-1166
• DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2024.111222

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterised by the formation of non-caseating granulomas in breast tissue, primarily affecting young women of childbearing age. The aetiology of IGM remains unclear, with potential factors including trauma, hormonal influences, and autoimmune responses. Recent studies suggest that immune dysregulation may play a critical role in IGM, highlighting the need for exploration of biomarkers involved in inflammation and immune modulation, particularly LL-37, galectin-3, IL-36, and TLR3. This study included 36 patients diagnosed with IGM and 37 healthy controls. Blood samples were collected from all participants, and serum levels of LL-37, IL-36α, galectin-3, and TLR3 were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemical evaluations were conducted on breast tissue samples from 16 IGM patients and 10 controls who underwent mammoplasty. Clinical data, including laboratory tests and imaging results, were also collected and analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using the IBM-SPSS-22.0 software, with significance set at p