Association of interleukin-2, interleukin-21 and interleukin-23 with hyperlipidemia in pediatric type 1 diabetes
- Mol Biol Rep. 2021 Jul;48(7):5421-5433. doi: 10.1007/s11033-021-06545-0.
- 1. Immunology Division, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt.
- 2. Molecular Physiology Division, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Salah Salim St., Beni Suef, 62511, Egypt. [email protected].
- 3. Molecular Physiology Division, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Salah Salim St., Beni Suef, 62511, Egypt.
- 4. Biotechnology and Life Sciences Department, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies for Advanced Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt.
Background: In Type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1DM), cytokines have a central role in orchestrating multicellular relations between β-cells and immune cells. This study aims to investigate the role of interleukin (IL)-21, IL-23, and IL-2, and their association with dyslipidemia in T1DM children.
Methods: The sample population consisted of 30 healthy controls and 70 children with T1DM, the latter of which were split into two groups according to the duration of their T1DM diagnosis: recent (≤ 1 year; n = 21) and older (> 1 year; n = 49) diagnoses.
Results: Fasting blood sugar and glycated Hemoglobin levels in all diabetic children were significantly (P < 0.001) higher, whereas levels of plasma C-peptide were markedly (P < 0.001) lower in children with T1DM compared to healthy controls. In older T1DM diagnosis children, the levels of creatinine were noticeably (P < 0.05) increased relative to healthy controls. In all diabetic children, levels of total triglyceride, Cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein were increased significantly (P < 0.001) than those of healthy controls. Furthermore, the IL-21 and IL-23 mRNA expressions of all children with T1DM were elevated significantly (P < 0.001) relative to healthy controls, whereas IL-2 levels revealed a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in all diabetic children.
Conclusion: There was a synergistic interplay between IL-21 and IL-23 with an antagonistic action of IL-2 in T1DM patients, and all three interleukins were associated with dyslipidemia in diabetic children. Importantly, therapies targeting IL-21 and IL-23 are promising targets for preventive strategies against the development of T1DM and its complications.