Evaluation of serum levels of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 in patients with vitiligo using Luminex-based assay

Abstract Vitiligo is a chronic acquired disorder characterized by skin depigmentation, and its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. The identification of reliable biomarkers is crucial for enhancing our understanding of the disease and developing effective therapeutic strategies. Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 (TREM-1) is a cell surface receptor constitutively expressed in neutrophils and monocytes, playing a significant role in amplifying and regulating the inflammatory response. However, its role in vitiligo remains unknown. In this context, we aimed to investigate the levels of soluble form of TREM-1 (namely sTREM-1) and inflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the levels of sTREM-1 in patients with the disease. Blood samples were collected from 19 vitiligo patients and 10 healthy individuals as a control group. We used the ProcartaPlex Multiplex Immunoassay kit (Thermo-Fisher Scientific, MA, USA) and the Luminex® 100/200™ System (Luminex Corp., Texas, USA) to measure IL-8, IL-17A, IL-33, IL-10, TNF-α, and sTREM-1 in the serum of both groups. The results demonstrated significantly elevated levels of sTREM-1, IL-17A, and IL-33 in vitiligo patients compared to the control group. Additionally, positive correlations were observed between sTREM-1 and IL-8 and IL-10, suggesting a potential role of sTREM-1 in the inflammatory process associated with vitiligo. These findings provide insights into the pathogenesis of vitiligo and highlight the potential of sTREM-1 as a biomarker for disease activity and therapeutic targeting.