The relationship between circulating concentrations of interleukin 17 and C reactive protein in chronic spontaneous urticaria

BACKGROUND: Up-regulation of interleukin 17 (IL-17) family cytokines and acute phase response have been observed in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). It has been demonstrated that IL-17 stimulates C-reactive protein (CRP) expression. AIM: To determine relationship between circulating concentrations of IL-17 and CRP in CSU. METHODS: Concentrations of IL-17 in plasma and CRP in serum were measured in patients with CSU of varying severity and in the healthy subjects. RESULTS: IL-17 and CRP concentrations were significantly higher in CSU patients as compared to the healthy subjects. In addition, there were significant differences in IL-17 and CRP concentrations between CSU patients with mild, moderate-severe symptoms and the healthy subjects. CRP did not correlate significantly with IL-17. CONCLUSIONS: Increased circulating IL-17 concentration may represent an independent index of systemic inflammatory response in CSU, which is not related to increased CRP concentration.