Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine whether the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-10 may be used as biological markers in Graves’ disease (GD) patients. A total of 256 individuals, including 118 GD patients and 138 healthy individuals, were enrolled into the study. Blood samples were collected from each patient and healthy individual, which were then subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Total RNA and total proteins were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis, respectively. In addition, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed to detect the presence of genetic polymorphisms. The ELISA results indicated that the IL-2 and IL-10 serum levels in the GD patients were increased by ~5.2 and ~7-fold when compared with the levels in the healthy controls. The results of RT-qPCR indicated that the mRNA expression levels of IL-2 and IL-10 were upregulated in the GD patients when compared with the healthy controls. Furthermore, the western blot analysis results revealed that the protein expression levels of IL-2 and IL-10 were significantly increased in the GD patients. RFLP analysis indicated that the increased number of GG single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GD group were detected in the −330 locus of the IL-2 promoter and the −1082 locus of the IL-10 promoter. In addition, the results indicated that the relatively high rates of homozygous GG SNPs (IL-2 −330T/G and IL-10 −1082A/G polymorphisms) on the alleles may be associated with the incidence of GD. The serum, mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-2 and IL-10 were significantly increased in GD patients when compared with the levels in the healthy controls. In conclusion, the expression levels and genetic polymorphisms of IL-2 and IL-10 may be potential biomarkers for the incidence of Graves’ disease in the population studied.
Highlights
Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disorder, which is caused by abnormal genetic alterations, including alterations in the expression levels of certain human cellular genes, and various environmental factors, such as smoking [1]
To determine whether the serum levels of IL‐2 and IL‐10 were altered in the GD patients when compared with the healthy controls, blood (1 ml) was collected from all the patients and healthy individuals, followed by centrifugation for serum separation and determination of the serum levels using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
The ELISA results of the current study indicated that the IL‐2 and IL‐10 serum levels of the GD patients were increased by ~5.2‐fold and ~7‐fold, respectively, compared with the levels in the healthy controls
Summary
Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disorder, which is caused by abnormal genetic alterations, including alterations in the expression levels of certain human cellular genes, and various environmental factors, such as smoking [1]. Previous studies have identified ~20 genetic polymorphisms that are associated with GD, including genes associated with the thyroid or involved in autoimmune responses [8,9]. T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 serum cytokines have been demonstrated to be involved in the development of GD [10,11,12]. A previous study reported that the serum concentrations of IL‐2 were increased in patients with vitiligo, which is an acquired depigmenting disorder associated with GD and characterized by the loss of functional melanocytes [14]
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