Decreased serum IL-27 and IL-35 levels are associated with disease severity in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

• Serum IL-27 & IL-35 levels are decreased in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.
• IL-27 & IL-35 levels are inversely correlated with disease severity.
• IL-27 & IL-35 are potential biomarkers of NMOSD severity.
• IL-27 & IL-35 are potential cytokine therapeutics for NMOSD.

The interleukin 12 (IL-12) family plays important roles in autoimmune diseases. To explore the roles of the IL-12 family members IL-27 and IL-35 in the pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), we determined their serum and cerebral spinal fluid levels and assessed potential correlations with clinical characteristics. Serum IL-27 levels were negatively correlated with disease severity and spinal cord lesion length, while serum IL-35 levels were negatively correlated with disease severity and annual relapse rate. Thus, IL-27 and IL-35 may be important biomarkers of NMOSD severity and these molecules might represent potential therapeutic cytokines for treating NMOSD.

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