Expression of IL-17 and COX2 gene in peripheral blood leukocytes of vitiligo patients

Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2011 Jun;10(2):81-9.

Abstract

Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which inflammatory mediators such as cytokines have a pivotal role in disease's pathogenesis. Interleukin 17 (IL-17A) is a proinflammatory cytokine which is involved in the induction of several proinflamatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2). The aim of this study was to investigate the gene expression of IL-17 and COX2 in peripheral blood leukocytes of vitiligo's patients.Peripheral blood leukocytes from 15 patients with vitiligo and 15 healthy controls were separated using a gradient density centrifugation method. After total RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis, IL-17 and COX2 gene expression were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). There were no significant differences in IL-17 and COX2 gene expression in lymphocytes of patients with vitiligo compared with control group (p<0.05). However there was an increased IL-17 and COX2 gene expression in neutrophils of patients compared to controls, but it did not reach statistical significance (p=0.05). We could not find any differences in IL-17 and Cox2 gene expression between clinical diseases subtypes, sex and age. There was a significant correlation between IL-17 and COX2 genes expression in the neutrophils of patients (p=0.00, r=0.80). Our results showed an increased expression in IL-17 and Cox-2 genes in neurophils of patients with vitiligo. This suggested that these two factors are involved in the inflammatory process. Further studies with a larger sample size might help to establish the role of these factors in the pathogenesis of diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / genetics*
  • Leukocytes / metabolism*
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Vitiligo / etiology*
  • Vitiligo / metabolism

Substances

  • IL17A protein, human
  • Interleukin-17
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • PTGS2 protein, human