Increased serum IL-31 levels in chronic spontaneous urticaria and psoriasis with pruritic symptoms
Suteeraporn Chaowattanapanit, Charoen Choonhakarn, Kanin Salao, Kengkart Winaikosol, Narachai Julanon, Rachot Wongjirattikarn, Chingching Foocharoen, Mongkhon Sompornrattanaphan
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common pruritic skin condition, the pathogenesis of which remains unclear. Interleukin-31 (IL-31) is a major pruritogenic cytokine that plays a role in inducing pruritus in various skin diseases. AIM: To 1) compare serum IL-31 levels among CSU patients, psoriasis patients with pruritic symptoms, and healthy subjects, 2) examine the correlations between serum IL-31 levels and disease severity, and 3) compare IL-31 levels in patients with and without CSU-associated auto-antibodies. METHODS: Patients with CSU, psoriasis with pruritic symptoms, and healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. Serum IL-31 levels were measured with commercial kits. Baseline characteristics, urticaria activity score, psoriasis area severity index, pruritic intensity score, and related laboratory results were collected. RESULTS: < 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSION: Higher serum IL-31 levels were found in patients with CSU and psoriasis with pruritic symptoms. This suggests that IL-31 has a possible role in the pathogenesis of CSU and psoriasis with pruritic symptoms.