The Relationship Between Serum Level of Interleukin-33 and Allergic Rhinitis and Its Severity in Children

 T helper type 2 (Th2) cells are critical cellular elements in allergic rhinitis. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) produces Th2-related cytokines and binds to the ST2 receptors. This is expressed strongly in mastocytes and discerningly in Th2 cells. Through Th2 cells, IL-33 may also have partly involved in immune responses.

 This study aimed to measure the IL-33 serum levels in children suffering from allergic rhinitis and investigate its relationship with the disease.

 This case-control study was conducted on a population with the age range of 7-18 years, who referred to the Pediatric Clinic of the Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran, in 2017. The study sample encompassed 57 patients with allergic rhinitis (case group) and 57 subjects with no allergic rhinitis (control group). The ELISA assay was used to measure the serum level of IL-33 in the case and control groups. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed by a pediatric immunologist considering the patient’s history and the guidelines set out by the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA). All study data were analyzed with SPSS software version 22.

 There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of age (P = 0.001), gender (P = 0.0144), family history of atopy (P < 0.001), symptoms duration (P < 0.001), and comorbidities (e.g., atopic dermatitis and asthma) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, compared to the control group, the case group exhibited significantly higher IL-33 serum levels (P < 0.001).

 The high serum levels of IL-33 exhibited in patients with allergic rhinitis indicate its involvement in the pathogenesis of the concerned disease.