The Levels And Significance Of Serum IL-17 In Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective:To investigate the levels and clinical significance of serum interleukin 17 (IL-17) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods:IL-17 levels were assessed in 37 initial treatment SLE patients and 25 normal controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relation between sera levels of IL-17 in initial treatment SLE patients and clinic features was analyzed. Thirty-one SLE patients were treated by glucocorticosteroid and immunodepressant, and IL-17 levels were detected in 1 month and 6 months after treatment. The changes of clinic features after therapy were observed.Results:1. The IL-17 level in sera of untreated SLE patients was 26.64±4.22 pg/ml, much higher than the normal control group (14.98±3.69 pg/mL, P<0.001).2. There was the positive linear correlation between the IL-17 level in the sera of untreated SLE patients and SLEDAI (r=0.736, P<0.05).3. The IL-17 levels in the sera of physician global assessment (PGA) 3 score group (30.19±4.31 pg/ml) were much higher than the 2 score group (25.49±3.26 pg/ml, P<0.01) and the 1 score group (22.91±1.97 pg/ml, P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the 2 score group and the 1 score group (P>0.05).4. There were no significant correlations between the IL-17 levels in the sera of untreated SLE patients and kidney damage and autoantibodies (Anti-dsDNA, Anti-Sm, Anti-SSA, et al).5. The IL-17 levels in the sera of untreated SLE patients were 26.48±4.30 pg/ml before treatment,20.98±3.35 pg/ml after one month of treatment and 19.57±4.23 pg/ml after six months of treatment. There was significant difference between two groups (groups of one month and six months after treatment) and the group before treatment(P<0.001), while there was no significant difference between the groups of one month and six months after treatment(P>0.05).Conclusion:1. IL-17 in the sera of untreated SLE patients is significantly higher.2. There is the positive correlation between the IL-17 level in the sera of untreated SLE patients and SLEDAI. The IL-17 level is consistent with patient's condition which is expressed by PGA.