Cathelicidin (LL37) in Metabolic Syndrome Patients in Mosul City

Abstract—Background: LL37 exhibits a salient role in the innate immunity. This study tried to assess mRNA expression of LL37 in patients with metabolic syndrome and correlate it to different parameters. Methods and Results: The study included 50 patients with metabolic syndrome and 50 control subjects. LL37, VDR and IL6 mRNA relative expression was measured using qPCR for all subjects. BMI, total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and HbA1c were estimated. Patients’ parameters were correlated using Pearson correlation with LL37 mRNA relative expression. Results Showed a significant down regulation of both blood LL37 and VDR mRNA relative expression among patients compared to controls (P-value <0.0001). While Patients IL6 mRNA relative expression significantly upregulated (p-value <0.0001). BMI, HbA1c, total serum cholesterol, and serum triglyceride showed a significant higher concentration among patients than controls (p-value <0.0001) for each parameter. Serum vitamin D and HDL-cholesterol were significantly lower among patients with P-value <0.0001 and = 0.0005 respectively. The LL37 mRNA relative expression was significantly correlated with VDR mRNA relative expression r was 0.636 and P-value was 0.0006. IL6 mRNA expression, BMI, HbA1c, serum total cholesterol, serum triglyceride, serum HDL-cholesterol and serum vitamin D didn't show a significant correlation with the LL37 mRNA relative expression. Conclusion: Patients with MTS has a significant lower blood mRNA relative expression of LL37 in comparison to control, which significantly correlated with blood VDR mRNA relative expression, but not correlated with the other patients’ parameters.