Immune Interaction between Interleukin-22 and Interleukin-26 and Its Relationship with Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity

Ali M. Abd-Alameer

doi:10.61704/pr.634

المؤلفون

Ali M. Abd-Alameer DNA Research Center, University of Babylon, Iraq.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61704/pr.634

الكلمات المفتاحية:

Rheumatoid Arthritis، IL-22، IL-26، Cytokines، DAS28، Inflammatory

الملخص

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition in which persistent synovial inflammation gradually alters joint structure and function. Increasing attention has been directed toward Th17-related cytokines—particularly interleukin-22 (IL-22) and interleukin-26 (IL-26) because of their potential contribution to sustained inflammation and disease progression in RA. This study aimed to quantify serum IL-22 and IL-26 levels in patients with RA and to determine their relationship with disease activity assessed using the DAS28 score. A case-control study was conducted involving 50 RA patients and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Serum IL-22 and IL-26 concentrations were measured using ELISA, while disease activity was assessed using DAS28. Appropriate statistical tests were applied to compare groups and examine correlations. Patients with RA exhibited markedly elevated IL-22 levels (178.5 ± 61.3 pg/mL) compared with controls (96.4 ± 39.7 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Likewise, IL-26 concentrations were significantly higher in RA patients (142.7 ± 55.9 pg/mL) than in controls (71.8 ± 28.6 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Serum IL-22 showed a moderate positive correlation with DAS28 (r = 0.49, p < 0.001), and IL-26 demonstrated a slightly stronger association (r = 0.53, p < 0.001). A notable correlation was also observed between IL-22 and IL-26 themselves (r = 0.57, p < 0.001). The clear elevation of IL-22 and IL-26 in RA patients, along with their strong correlations with disease activity, supports their potential role as useful supportive biomarkers for monitoring inflammatory burden and evaluating disease progression.

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