Background: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a bleeding disorder mediated by the immune system in which anti-platelet antibodies prematurely destroy platelets, resulting in a decreased platelet count. One of the IL-1 cytokines; IL-37, has an effect against inflammation in cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases by regulating both innate and acquired immunity.
Aim: Here, we evaluated the IL-37 gene both serum levels and gene expression in ITP children patients and correlated it with the disease severity.
Patients & Methods: Forty newly diagnosed ITP patients and forty healthy, age- and sex-matched controls participated in a case-control study. Blood IL-37 gene mRNA expression and serum IL-37 level were both identified using ELISA and RT-qPCR, respectively. Results: ITP patients had significantly elevated serum IL-37 (P= 0.006) and IL-37 gene expression (P= 0.001) than controls. Positive correlations were found between the severity of ITP and a significantly lower platelet count, as well as significantly lower serum and gene expression levels of IL-37.
Conclusion: IL-37 mRNA and serum expressions are promising biomarkers for ITP diagnosis and predictors for disease severity