Serum concentrations of interleukin-2 soluble receptor (IL-2 sR) in patients with vitiligo: relationship with type and extent of the disease.

Vitiligo is a disorder of melanin pigmentation, affecting 1-2% of general population. The etiopathogenesis of the disease is not clear, but probably includes the interaction among nervous system, cytotoxic factors, and immune mechanisms. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum concentrations of interleukin-2 soluble receptor (IL-2 sR) in patients with vitiligo and assess a possible association between IL-2 sR and clinical type, extent, and duration of the disease. The study included 51 patients with vitiligo aged 7-70 years and 29 healthy controls aged 10-60 years. Serum concentrations of IL-2 sR were determined by ELISA method. The serum concentration of IL-2 sR in patients with vitiligo was lower than that in the control group (1,164.2+/- 357.2 vs. 1,301.6+/-404.1 pg/mL, respectively). Significantly decreased serum IL-2 sR concentrations were noticed in patients with non-dermatomal type A vitiligo (1,137.5+/-356.7 pg/mL), especially those suffering from type A1 (active lesions) of the disease (959.4+/-251.7 pg/mL), compared with both healthy controls and patients with type B (dermatomal) vitiligo (1,105.2+/-346.5 pg/mL). In patients with more extensive vitiliginous changes of the skin, IL-2 sR serum concentrations were significantly lower. Moreover, patients with type A1 vitiligo had significantly decreased serum IL-2 sR concentrations compared with type A2 (non-active lesions) patients. There was no difference in serum IL-2 sR concentrations between patients with dermatomal distribution of vitiligo and control group. Serum IL-2 sR concentrations in patients with vitiligo were decreased and depended on the activity and intensity of the disease process.