The Alarmin Triad-IL-25, IL-33, and TSLP-Serum Levels and Their Clinical Implications in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Feb 7;25(4):2026. doi: 10.3390/ijms25042026.

Abstract

This study delves into the critical role of alarmins in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), focusing on their impact on disease severity and the quality of life (QoL) of patients. We investigated the alterations in alarmin levels in CSU patients and their correlations with the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). We analyzed serum levels of interleukin-25 (IL-25), interleukin-33 (IL-33), and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in 50 CSU patients, comparing these to 38 healthy controls. The study examined the relationship between alarmin levels and clinical outcomes, including disease severity and QoL. Elevated levels of IL-33 and TSLP in CSU patients (p < 0.0001) highlight their potential role in CSU pathogenesis. Although IL-25 showed higher levels in CSU patients, this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.0823). Crucially, IL-33's correlation with both UAS7 and DLQI scores underscores its potential as a biomarker for CSU diagnosis and severity assessment. Of the alarmins analyzed, IL-33 emerges as particularly significant for further exploration as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in CSU. Its substantial correlation with disease severity and impact on QoL makes it a compelling candidate for future research, potentially serving as a target for therapeutic interventions. Given these findings, IL-33 deserves additional investigation to confirm its role and effectiveness as a biomarker and therapeutic target in CSU.

Keywords: CSU; DLQI; IL-25; IL-33; TSLP; UAS7; alarmins; mast cells; skin; urticaria.

MeSH terms

  • Alarmins
  • Biomarkers
  • Chronic Disease
  • Chronic Urticaria* / blood
  • Chronic Urticaria* / diagnosis
  • Cytokines / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / blood
  • Interleukin-17 / chemistry
  • Interleukin-33 / blood
  • Interleukin-33 / chemistry
  • Quality of Life
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin / blood
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin / chemistry
  • Urticaria* / blood
  • Urticaria* / diagnosis

Substances

  • Alarmins
  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukin-33
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
  • IL25 protein, human

Grants and funding

This research received support from the “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, through a grant—Proiect Cercetare Doctorala (PCD), contract number 2462/18/17.01.2020.