Hyperproduction of IL-23 and IL-17 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: implications for Th17-mediated inflammation in auto-immunity.
IL-23-dependent IL-17-producing T helper (Th) lymphocytes are associated with autoimmunity. We investigated the immunopathological mechanisms for activation of Th17 cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Concentration of cytokines/chemokine in plasma and culture supernatant from SLE patients and healthy controls were measured by ELISA or flow cytometry. Plasma IL-12, IL-17, IL-23 and CXCL10 concentrations and the number of Th17 cells were significantly elevated in SLE patients than control subjects (both p<0.05). Elevated IL-12, IL-17 and CXCL10 concentrations correlated positively and significantly with SLEDAI (all p<0.05). Plasma IL-12 and IL-17 showed significant and positive correlation with plasma Th1 chemokine CXCL10 concentration in SLE patients (all p<0.05). Ex vivo inductions of IL-17 by IL-23 or IL-18 from co-stimulated lymphocytes were significantly higher in SLE patients than controls (all p<0.05). The activated IL-23/IL-17 axis is important for the inflammatory immunity in SLE.
Wong
Chun Kwok
CK
Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Lit
Lydia Choi Wan
LC
Tam
Lai Shan
LS
Li
Edmund Kwok Ming
EK
Wong
Purple Tsz Yan
PT
Lam
Christopher Wai Kei
CW
D000328:Adult; D015551:Autoimmunity; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D020381:Interleukin-17; D053759:Interleukin-23; D018664:Interleukin-12