Interleukin-33/suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (IL-33/ST2) axis in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and its association with laboratory and clinical parameters: a pilot study

Abstract

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are rare connective tissue diseases, which can lead to internal organ involvement. IL-33/ST2 pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases including autoimmune disorders. IL-33 fulfils cardioprotective function, while soluble ST2 (sST2) is a decoy receptor that reduces protective impact of IL-33. The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of sST2 and IL-33 in sera of patients with IIM and evaluate its associations with the clinical course of the disease. Patients with IIM as well as age-and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. Concentrations of sST2 and IL-33 were assessed with ELISA in sera of both patients and controls. Patients were asked to fill in the questionnaires concerning clinical symptoms and physical functioning. Concentrations of sST2 and IL-33 were correlated with the results of laboratory tests and clinical symptoms. Concentrations of sST2 were significantly higher in IIM group than in healthy subjects (median sST2 in IIM 26.51 vs in healthy controls 21.39; p = 0.03). In the majority of patients, IL-33 concentrations did not exceed the detection limit. Anti-SRP-positive patients presented significantly higher concentrations of sST2 as compared to anti-SRP-negative patients (p = 0.04). In patients with anti-Ro52 antibodies, sST2 concentrations were significantly lower than in anti-Ro52-negative patients (p = 0.02). Concentrations of sST2 correlated with the degree of disability evaluated with Health Assessment Questionnaire. sST2 is increased in patients with IIM and its concentration correlates with the degree of disability. In patients with anti-SRP antibodies, levels of sST2 are exceptionally high. KeywordsIdiopathic inflammatory myopathy · ST2 · IL-33 · Myositis Rheumatology INTERNATIONAL Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (https ://doi.org/10.

Roles of IL-33 in the Pathogenesis of Cardiac Disorders

“…75 In idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs), there was a correlation between the levels of sST2 and IL-33 and the clinical symptoms. 76 The concentration of sST2 was found to be significantly higher in the IIM group compared to healthy subjects, while the concentration of IL-33 did not exceed the detection limit in this group. These data suggest that an increase in IL-33 and sST2 might indicate the involvement of the heart and/or microvasculature in systemic sclerosis.…”

IL-33 in Rheumatic Diseases

“…In addition, serum sST2 levels were correlated with CRP, creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (92). In another study, serum IL-33 could not be detected in the majority of IIM patients, but serum sST2 levels were elevated and even much higher in patients with anti-signal recognition particle (anti-SRP) antibodies (93). Considering the abnormal expression of sST2 and the short detection time window of IL-33, it can be speculated that IL-33 may be involved in the pathogenesis of IIM.…”