Serum IL-40 is elevated in systemic sclerosis and is linked to disease activity, gastrointestinal involvement, immune regulation and fibrotic processes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Interleukin 40 (IL-40) is a cytokine implicated in malignancies and rheumatic disorders. Its association with fibrotic mediators has been previously described. Since inflammation and fibrosis are hallmarks of systemic sclerosis (SSc), we aimed to analyze the role of IL-40 in SSc.

Methods

IL-40 levels were analyzed in the serum of 90 SSc patients and 75 healthy controls (HCs). IL-40 expression in dermal biopsies from 5 SSc patients and 5 HCs was assessed via immunohistochemistry. IL-40 was analyzed in 39 SSc patients with interstitial lung disease treated with cyclophosphamide (CPA) and in 24 SSc patients with active progressive disease treated with rituximab (RTX). SSc activity was assessed by the European Scleroderma Study Group (ESSG) index. The effect of recomb

SUBMITTER: Navratilova A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12128543 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature