Circulating interleukin-39 as a potential biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis

Background: Imbalances in cytokine networks have been shown to be a possible cause of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The interleukin (IL)-12 family is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases including RA, while IL-39 is a newly discovered member of the IL-12 family, although its role in RA remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to detect the expression of IL-39 in the sera of patients with RA and its relationship with RA activity.Methods: We recruited 46 patients with RA and 35 healthy controls at Ningbo Sixth Hospital. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis, and disease activity scores of 28 joints based on C-reactive protein were monitored. Serum concentrations of IL-39 were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Pearson correlation test was used to analyze the association between serum IL-39 levels and clinical indicators.Results: Serum levels of IL-39 were significantly higher in patients with RA compared with healthy controls (p < 0.0001). IL-39 levels positively correlated with rheumatoid factor (RF), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and IgM; RF positively correlated with ESR. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that IL-39 has diagnostic value for RA (p < 0.0001).Conclusions: The significant increase of IL-39 levels in serum of patients with RA and its positive correlation with clinical indicators suggest that IL-39 may serve as biomarker for the diagnosis of RA.

Automated summary

The present study aimed to detect the expression of IL-39 in the sera of patients with RA and investigate its relationship with RA activity. Results showed that serum levels of IL-39 were significantly higher in patients with RA compared with healthy controls, and positively correlated with clinical indicators. Therefore, IL-39 may serve as a biomarker for the diagnosis of RA.