Elevated serum level of interleukin-15 in vitiligo patients and its correlation with disease severity but not activity

Background Vitiligo is a common acquired disorder of depigmentation. Its pathogenesis entails a T helper (Th) 1-cytotoxic T (cT) lymphocytes mediated autoimmune melanocyte destruction. Interleukin (IL)-15 is one of the IL-2 family of cytokines and shares several actions with IL-2. IL-15 enhances survival, maturation, and functional activity of natural killer, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Furthermore, it potentiates survival, maturation, and cytotoxicity of memory cT cells. IL-15 has been shown to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases but was poorly investigated in patients with vitiligo. Aims The study aimed at evaluating IL-15 level in the sera of patients with vitiligo and its association with vitiligo severity and activity. Patients and Methods The study included 30 patients with nonsegmental vitiligo and 30 healthy controls. Vitiligo Extent Score (VES) and Vitiligo Disease Activity (VIDA) score were used to assess vitiligo severity and activity, respectively. Serum level of IL-15 was assessed by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay. Results Serum IL-15 level, in patients with vitiligo, was significantly higher in comparison with the control group (P = .001). A significant positive correlation was found between serum IL-15 level and VES score (P = .001), whereas there was no significant correlation between IL-15 level and VIDA score as well as the disease duration. Conclusion IL-15 level was elevated in the sera of patients with vitiligo. IL-15 may therefore have a significant impact on vitiligo autoimmune pathogenesis, and further identification of its molecular roles may highlight new therapeutic strategies for vitiligo.

Automated summary

Background Vitiligo is a common acquired disorder of depigmentation. IL-15, a cytokine in the IL-2 family, plays a crucial role in autoimmune diseases but has been poorly investigated in patients with vitiligo. The study found that serum IL-15 levels were significantly higher in patients with vitiligo compared to healthy controls, and there was a positive correlation between IL-15 levels and vitiligo severity.