Analysis of the association of IL-38, IL-29 and CKLF-1 with psoriasis vulgaris

Objective To examine the levels of serum IL-38, IL-29 and CKLF-1 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PV), and explore their association with psoriasis vulgaris through comparing the level of the recognized therapeutic target IL-17A. Methods A total of 40 PV patients were selected as an experiment group, and treated with conventional medications for eight weeks. Meanwhile, 30 healthy subjects were selected as a control group. Their peripheral blood samples were measured by ELISA before and after treatment to examine the association of IL-38, IL-29 and CKLF-1 with IL-17A. Results The experiment group presented remarkable decreases in the level of peripheral blood IL-38, compared with the control group before treatment and those after treatment (P<0.05). The experiment group also showed significant increases in the levels of peripheral blood IL-29 and IL-17A, compared with the control group before treatment and those after treatment (P<0.05). The experiment group presented no significant difference in the level of peripheral blood CKLF-1, compared with the control group before treatment and those after treatment (P>0.05). The level of IL-38 in PV patients was negatively associated with IL-17A (r=-0.841, P<0.01), and IL-29 (r=-0.780, P<0.01). The level of IL-29 in PV patients was positively associated with IL-17A (r=0.854, P<0.01). However, there was no association between the level of CKLF-1 and IL-17A (P>0.05). Conclusions Serum IL-38 is involved as an anti-inflammatory factor in the pathogenesis of PV, while IL-29 acts as a pro-inflammatory factor. Serum CKLF-1 may not be involved in the onset of PV.