Serum Levels of Interleukin 17 in Patients with Pemphigus and Healthy Subjects

Introduction: Pemphigus is a relatively rare autoimmune bullous disease involving skin and mucous epithelia. The disease occurs as a result of production of auto-antibodies against inter-cellular epithelia especially cadherin and desmoglein. Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is one of the specific cytokines of T helper. IL-17 plays an important role in delayed type reaction and recruits neutrophils and monocytes to the inflammation area. The other important role of this cytokine is its effect on T helper 17 cells, a certain type of CD4+ cells, leading to its key role in such autoimmune diseases. &nbsp;&nbsp;The present study investigated the levels of IL-17 in serum among pemphigus patients in comparison with that among healthy subjects. Materials and methods: In this case-control study, blood samples (3 ml) were collected from 43 patients with pemphigus and 36 healthy subjects. Centrifuge process was done on the clotted blood samples, and the plasma was collected and preserved in -20&ordm; C. The level of IL-17 was determined through Sandwich ELISA method. T-test, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney tests, and linear regression model (P<0.05) were used for data analysis. Results: No difference existed between case and control groups regarding serum levels of IL-17 (P=0.143). The regression model showed no significant linear correlation between gender and blood level of IL-17 (P=0.164). However, blood level of IL-17 was reversely correlated to age (&beta;=-0.0236, B=-0.029, P=0.036). Conclusion: Serum level of IL-17 could not be considered as a good marker to differentiate pemphigus from the healthy subjects.