Abstract
Background/Objectives: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by dysregulated immune responses. This study aimed to assess the expression of IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α in HS lesioned and non-lesioned skin and to examine their associations with selected clinical characteristics. Methods: Skin samples from HS lesions and non-lesioned skin were obtained from 52 patients. Histopathological changes were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and cytokine expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantified using ImageJ. Cytokine expression was analyzed according to Hurley stage and selected demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: Of 52 patients, 24 (46%) were female. Patient’s median age was 35.5 (IQR 26-44) years; 28 (54%) patients were categorized as Hurley stage 2 and 24 (46%) as stage 3. IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α expression was significantly higher in lesioned than in non-lesioned skin (all p<0.05). IL-1β expression was higher in Hurley stage 2 than stage 3 (p=0.042), whereas IL-8 expression was higher in Hurley stage 3 (p=0.039). No significant differences were found according to sex, BMI, smoking, or biological therapy. TNF-α expression was significantly higher in patients with a positive family history of HS (p=0.049). Conclusions: HS lesions demonstrate increased expression of both pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines. Differences in IL-1β and IL-8 expression across Hurley stages suggest that inflammatory pathways may vary with disease stage. The association between TNF-α expression and positive family history may indicate a potential genetic influence on the inflammatory phenotype of HS.