Decreased serum IL-27 and IL-35 levels are associated with disease severity in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

The interleukin 12 (IL-12) family plays important roles in autoimmune diseases. To explore the roles of the IL-12 family members IL-27 and IL-35 in the pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), we determined their serum and cerebral spinal fluid levels and assessed potential correlations with clinical characteristics. Serum IL-27 levels were negatively correlated with disease severity and spinal cord lesion length, while serum IL-35 levels were negatively correlated with disease severity and annual relapse rate. Thus, IL-27 and IL-35 may be important biomarkers of NMOSD severity and these molecules might represent potential therapeutic cytokines for treating NMOSD. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.