A POSSIBLE ROLE FOR INTERLEUKIN-17 IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory – autoimmune disease. IL-17 is a Th-17 cytokine and is implicated in many chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Aim of the work: was to investigate the serum level of IL-17 in patients with SLE and its association with disease manifestations and activity, in an attempt to find a possible role of it in the pathogenesis of SLE. Patients and Methods: this study included 30 patients with SLE, diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria and 30 healthy control subjects. Serum IL-17 levels were measured using ELISA method for patients and controls. Results: Serum Levels of IL-17 were found to be significantly increased in patients when compared to control group. Non significant associations were detected between serum IL-17 level and both clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters in SLE patients. In SLE patients, non significant differences were found in IL-17 levels in patients with or without nephritis and those with less and more active disease. No association was found between serum IL-17 levels and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score. Conclusion: Serum IL-17 is increased in SLE patients, suggesting that this cytokine may trigger the inflammatory response in SLE