ELEVATED SERUM LEVELS OF TH17-RELATED CYTOKINES IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Dysregulation of cytokine production or action is thought to have a central role in the development of autoimmunity and autoimmune disease. The aim of this study was to analyze serum TNF-alpha, IL-18, IL-12p40, IL-17 and IL-23 in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and their relation to disease activity and treatment regimens. Cytokines in the serum of 77 AS patients and 48 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were measured by ELISA assay. Disease activity was assessed by the ASDAS-CRP, ESR and CRP. Serum levels of most of the studied pro-inflammatory cytokines were elevated in AS patients compared to healthy subjects; 1L23, IL-17 and IL-18 were significantly higher (p<0.001), whereas TNF-alpha, was higher but not significantly elevated. The cytokine concentrations between subgroups upon TNF - specific blockade and non-anti-TNF therapy were comparable and not statistically different for all cytokines, but, notably, TNF-alpha was numerically higher in patients upon treatment with anti-TNF. No association was calculated between TNF-alpha, IL-17 14 IL-23 with the ASDAS-CRP and both inflammatory biomarkers, Only a weak correlation between IL-18 and ASDAS-CRP and between 1L-12p40 and CRP was found, because of which we consider that the investigated cytokines are poor indicators of activity in this disease and do not reflect it accurately.