BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the possible correlations of serum
interleukins and soluble ST2 (sST2)
protein with clinical features and inflammatory
cytokines in
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, as well as to assess ability of TCM (
Traditional Chinese Medicine) syndromes to differentiate RA patients and evaluate prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty RA patients and 25 healthy individuals were enrolled. Syndrome activity was evaluated, and lab tests were performed. Serum levels of
IL-10,
IL-17,
IL-33, and sST2 were assessed by ELISA. RESULTS Serum levels of sST2,
IL-33, and pro-
inflammation cytokine IL-17 were all up-regulated, while the immunosuppressive
cytokine IL-10 was decreased in RA patients. Serum
IL-33 level was positively associated with ESR, CRP, and RF, as well as with
HAQ score, VAS score, and DAS28 scores (P<0.05). Serum sST2 level was correlated with the morning stiffness time and ESR, as well as scores of
HAQ and DAS28 (P<0.05). In addition,
IL-33 level was positively corelated with
IL-17 (r=0.83, P<0.01) and the relative ratio of IL-10/IL-17 (r=0.904, P<0.01), and was negatively related with
IL-10 (r=-0.632, P<0.01). TCM syndrome differentiation was conducted for RA patients, including the hot syndromes and cold syndromes groups. Hot syndromes RA patients had significantly more severe
inflammation compared with cold syndromes patients. CONCLUSIONS
IL-33 is a possible index for monitoring disease activity and
inflammation condition in RA.
IL-33 contributes to RA pathogenesis through unbalancing
IL-10 and
IL-17. In terms of TCM, hot syndromes RA presented more serious
inflammation and more active disease activity, indicating a poorer prognosis.