Interleukin-21 in hemodialyzed patients: Association with the etiology of chronic kidney disease and the seropositivity against hepatitis C virus infection

ObjectivesIL-21 is a new pleiotropic cytokine involved in immune system regulation.Design and methodsWe determined IL-21 in the plasma of hemodialyzed (HD) patients and healthy controls, and we tried to identify the factors which could affect its levels.ResultsDetectable levels of IL-21 were observed in the similar percent of HD patients and controls, but its concentration was twice lower in HD patients. The patients with detectable IL-21 had lower inflammatory state, reflected by IL-6 and TNF-α, compared to those with undetectable IL-21. The association was between IL-21 and the presence of glomerulonephritis (p < 0.05), anti-HCV seropositivity (p < 0.001) and the markers of liver function.ConclusionsIL-21 is decreased in HD patients and is not affected by gender, age, inflammation, the vintage of HD, type of medication and type of used dialysis membrane. The etiology of chronic kidney disease and anti-HCV seropositivity independently affect its plasma levels in these patients.

► Interleukine 21 (IL-21) is a pleiotropic cytokine with an ability to act on multiple cells of the immune system.
► IL-21 is decreased in hemodialysis (HD) patients compared to healthy controls.
► IL-21 is not affected by gender, age, inflammation, the vintage of HD, type of medication and type of used dialysis membrane.
► The etiology of chronic kidney disease and anti-HCV seropositivity are the independent factors affected its levels in HD patients.