Serum IL-33 level and IL-33 gene polymorphısms ın Behçet?s dısease

Behçet?s disease (BD) characterized by recurrent mucocutaneous, ocular, musculo-skeletal, gastrointestinal and central nervous system is an inflammatory disease seen frequently in some geographic areas where our country is also located. Although etiopathogenesis is not fully clarified immune activation, increased the level of IL-1ß and IL-1 gene polymorphisms and relations between the disease have been determined. IL-33 is a cytokine from IL-1 family. In inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis, expression of IL-33 mRNA is increased and that IL-33 gene polymorphisms affect the risk of allergic rhinitis and the development of Alzheimer's disease is shown.The aim of this study is to investigate the possible role of serum levels of IL-33 and IL-33 gene polymorphisms such as rs1929992 (6,251,588 T> C) and rs7044343 (6254208 C> T) in the etiopathogenesis of BD.143 patients, diagnosed with BD and over 18 years old and 158 healthy controls (HC) were included in this study. Serum IL-33 levels were measured by ELISA. IL-33 gene polymorphisms were studied with real-time PCR.There was not significantly different in serum IL-33 level and IL-33 gene polymorphisms between BD group and HC group. But, the serum IL-33 levels of active BD group were lower than inactive BD group.Behçet?s disease is a primarily Th1 mediated disease and IL-33 is a Th2 type cytokine. The high presence serum IL-33 levels of inactive BD group than active BD group shows that IL-33 may have a role in the pathogenesis of BD. However, the IL-33 gene polymorphisms that studied don?t constitute a risk factor for BD.Key words: Behçet?s disease, IL-33, IL-33 gene polymorphisms