Yonsei Med J.
2023 Oct;64(10):604-611. 10.3349/ymj.2023.0226.
Vasculitis Activity-Predicting Ability of IL-12 Family Cytokines in Patients with Microscopic Polyangiitis and Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Medical Science, BK21 Plus Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 2Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 3Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 4Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, Korea
- KMID: 2546247
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2023.0226
Abstract
- Purpose
The present study investigated and compared the antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) activity-predicting ability of the serum concentrations of the four interleukin (IL)-12 family cytokines including IL-23, IL-27, IL-35, and IL-39 in patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA).
Materials and Methods
The present study included 70 patients with MPA and GPA. Clinical and laboratory data, particularly Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), at the time of blood collection were obtained. The serum concentrations of IL-23, IL-27, IL-35, and IL-37 were measured using sera stored at -80°C. Patients were divided into two groups: the upper half of BVAS (BVAS ≥12) and the lower half of BVAS (BVAS <12).
Results
The serum concentrations of IL-23 and IL-27 reflected AAV activity. Patients with the upper half of BVAS exhibited significantly higher serum concentrations of IL-23 and IL-27 than those without. Patients with the serum concentrations of IL-23 ≥132.1 pg/mL or IL-27 ≥684.7 pg/mL exhibited higher frequency and risk for the upper half of BVAS than those without [relative risks (RR) 5.143 and RR 4.091, respectively]. The serum concentrations of IL-27 were associated with age ≥65 years and proteinase 3-ANCA (or C-ANCA) negativity, whereas, those of IL-23 were associated with MPA. However, the serum concentrations of IL-35 and IL-39 were not useful in predicting AAV activity in this study.
Conclusion
The present study is the first to demonstrate that among the various members of IL-12 family cytokines, the serum concentrations of IL-23 and IL-27 possess AAV activity-predicting ability.
