Association of serum interleukin 15 level with vitiligo: a cross-sectional comparative study

Arjun Saha; Shahidullah Sikder; Mohammad Abul Kalam Azzad; A. T. M. Asaduzzaman; Towfiq Ahmad; M. Abir Hassan; Tanzina Begum Chowdhury; Wasi Deen Ahmed; Marufa Shahrin

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20262353

Authors

Arjun Saha Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Directorate General of Health Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Shahidullah Sikder Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mohammad Abul Kalam Azzad Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
A. T. M. Asaduzzaman Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Towfiq Ahmad Department of Dermatology, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
M. Abir Hassan Department of Dermatology, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tanzina Begum Chowdhury Department of Dermatology, Sarkari Karmachari Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Wasi Deen Ahmed Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Directorate General of Health Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Marufa Shahrin Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Directorate General of Health Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20262353

Keywords:

Interleukin-15, VASI, Vitiligo

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder characterized by the progressive destruction of melanocytes, leading to depigmented patches. Interleukin-15 (IL-15), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been implicated in the persistence of vitiligo by sustaining tissue-resident memory (TRM) T cells, which contribute to disease recurrence. Objective was to investigate the association of serum IL-15 levels with vitiligo and its severity.

Methods: A total of 60 participants, including 30 vitiligo patients and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled. Serum IL-15 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Disease severity was assessed using the vitiligo area scoring index (VASI).

Results: Vitiligo patients exhibited significantly higher serum IL-15 levels (41.98±32.16 pg/ml) compared to healthy individuals (15.19±8.82 pg/ml, p<0.001). IL-15 levels were positively correlated with disease severity, as patients with VASI scores >10 had the highest IL-15 levels (61.88±31.82 pg/ml, p=0.047). However, no significant correlation was observed between IL-15 levels and age (p=0.129), duration of disease (p=0.923), or age of onset (p=0.107). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that IL-15 levels ≥15.9 pg/ml had 80.8% sensitivity and 65.4% specificity in distinguishing vitiligo patients from healthy individuals (AUC=0.772, p=0.001).

Conclusions: Serum IL-15 is found to be significantly elevated in vitiligo patients and is shown to correlate with disease severity. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and therapeutic interventions targeting IL-15 to better understand its role in vitiligo pathogenesis and treatment.

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