Changes of vitamin D, Th17/Treg related cytokines and their correlations with disease activity in chronic spontaneous urticaria

Aims To investigate levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25HVD), interleukin-17 (IL-17), IL-27, IL-35, and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) patients and their correlations with disease activity. Methods An observational, case-control study was conducted. Eighty-one CSU patients and fifty-eight healthy individuals were recruited into two groups. Serum levels of 25HVD, IL-17, IL-27, IL-35, TGF-β1 were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Disease activity of CSU was assessed using urticaria activity score (UAS). Results Serum level of 25HVD was significantly lower in CSU group compared to control group ( P < 0.001). Serum levels of IL-17 ( P < 0.001), IL-27 ( P < 0.001), TGF-β1 ( P = 0.01) were significantly higher in CSU group than those in control group. In CSU group, the level of 25HVD was negatively associated with IgE ( P < 0.01) and positively correlated with IL-35 ( P < 0.01). In addition, serum level of IL-17 was negatively correlated with disease activity among female patients ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Deficiency of 25HVD is associated with development of CSU, the underlying mechanism might be related with IL-35. Likewise, IL-17, IL-27, IL-35, and TGF-β1 might also contribute to development of CSU.