Serum levels of interleukin-33, soluble ST2 and IgE in patients with asthma: a case-control study

Abstract

Introduction

Interleukins play a very important role in the pathophysiology of asthma. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a partially explored cytokine in asthma. It binds with a specific receptor called suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2). The study aims to evaluate the serum levels of IL-33, sST2 and IgE in asthmatic patients and healthy controls and its further association with the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1%) and absolute eosinophil count.

Materials and Methods

We enrolled 100 asthmatic patients and 57 healthy subjects for the study. We measured serum levels of IgE, IL-33, and sST2. Based on serum IgE levels, patients were divided into allergic and non-allergic groups. Statistical analysis was done by using Graph pad prism software 8.

Results

We found significantly elevated levels of IL-33 and IgE in asthmatic patients as compared to healthy subjects. However, sST2 levels were significantly lower in asthmatic patients than in healthy subjects. FEV1% values were decreased in uncontrolled asthmatic patients. In addition, serum levels of IL-33 were significantly correlated with the IgE. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between IL-33 and AEC in allergic asthmatic patients.

Conclusion

In this study, we reported elevated IL-33 and IgE levels and decreased sST2 levels in asthmatic patients compared to healthy controls. IL-33 and sST2 may act as inflammatory biomarkers for allergic diseases such as asthma.

Keywords:

• IL-33
• FEV1%
• sST2
• asthma

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, for providing infrastructure support.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study is supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) sponsored Ramalinga Swami Fellowship (BT/RLF/Re-entry/53/2013).