Protein and mRNA expression level of IL-38 and correlation with IL-36R in pediatric asthmatic patients

Background Pediatric asthma is a respiratory disease involving bronchial hyperresponsiveness to risk factors, influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Objective: This study investigated IL-38/IL-36R in pediatric asthma. Samples from 140 children aged 1–10 years, including 80 patients and 60 controls, were analyzed. IL-38 mRNA expression was assessed by qRT-PCR, while serum IL-38 and IL-36R were measured by ELISA. Results Revealed significant increase serum level of IL-38 74.80± 11.583pg/ml in asthmatic patients compare to control 59.33± 11.833pg/ml (P=0.01) while serum level of IL-36R in patients 226.26 ±88.07 pg/ml compare to control group167.4250 ±55.03pg/ml, results of expression of mRNA level of IL-38 shows significantly increased in asthmatic patients 2 fold with p value <0.01, significant correlation between serum level of IL-38 and IL-36R (r= −0.7459, p value =0.001), while weak correlation between concentration of IL-36R and mRNA expression of IL-38. Conclusion The results showed that the changes in serum and expression levels of IL-38 have significant impact on asthma disease and its severity. These levels may account as diagnostic marker for pediatric asthma.