Interleukin-35 (IL-35) and Interleukin-39 (IL-39) in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Relation to Disease Activity

Document Type : Correspondence articles.

Authors

1 Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University

2 Department Rheumatology & Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University

10.21608/ejmm.2025.382558.1620

Abstract

Background: Imbalance of the cytokine networks is reported as attributing factor for rheumatoid arthritis. Interleukin 12 (IL-12) superfamily (IL-35, IL-39) has contributing effect in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Objectives: The objective of the current research is to perform an evaluation of the levels of interleukins-35 and 39 in RA and study their relation to disease activity. Methodology: The levels of interleukins (IL-35 & IL-39) were measured in blood samples of 60 RA cases, in addition to 20 healthy subjects who were involved in this study. Results: Estimated levels of the serum of IL-35& IL-39 had a higher significant elevation in RA cases compared to controls. IL-39 showed a positive significant correlation with ESR, CRP, RF and DAS-28 (p< 0.05) in RA patients. The levels of IL-35 revealed negatively significantly correlation with, DAS-28, ESR, CRP, and RF (p < 0.05). IL-35 and IL-39 were related to each other with statistical significance (r = 0.405; p < 0.001). IL-39 and IL-35 had diagnostic values for RA (p < 0.05) according to analysis of ROC curve. Conclusions: IL-35 and IL -39 had a vital immunoregulatory role in RA pathogenesis and they could be biomarkers for diagnosing and confirming RA activity. In the high-specificity range, however, IL-39 appears to be superior to IL-35.

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