Study on the relationship between the serum level of interleukin-17 and neuromyelitis spectrum diseases

ObjectiveTo investigate the significance of serum the level of interleukin-17(IL-17) in the neuromyelitis optica Spectrum disorders(NMOSD), and its correlation with disease severity.

MethodsThe serum concentrations of IL-17 in 36 patients with NMOSD(NMOSD group) and 30 healthy volunteers(HCs group) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The correlations between serum level of IL-17 and extended disability score(EDSS), number of spinal cord involved segments, enhancement of lesion and titer of aquaphosin 4 antibody(AQP4-Ab) were analyzed in NMOSD group.

ResultsThe serum level of IL-17 in NMOSD group(35.54±10.71) was significantly higher than in HCs group(27.03±7.09)(P < 0.01).The serum level of IL-17 in NMOSD group was positive correlation with EDSS score and number of spinal cord involved segments(P < 0.01), the serum level of IL-17 in patients with enhancement of lesion significantly increased compared with patients without enhancement of lesion(P < 0.01), and there was not significant correlation between IL-17 level and antibody titers of AQP4-Ab(P>0.05).The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that the serum level of IL-17 were positively correlated with EDSS score and number of spinal cord lesion(P < 0.01 and P < 0.05).

ConclusionsThe IL-17 may participate in the pathogenic process of NMOSD, and can be used as one of the predictors in judging disease and potential progression of disease.