title: Glucocorticoid regulates interleukin-37 in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: The aim of this study was to research the expression of IL-37 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and the effect of glucocorticoid on IL-37. Thirty newly diagnosed severe SLE patients receiving prednisone 1 mg/kg/day for 14 consecutive days and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled into this study. The plasma levels of IL-37 and other cytokines were detected by ELISA and the relative mRNA amounts of IL-37 and other cytokines were detected by RT-PCR. The plasma levels of IL-37, IL-18, IL-18BP, IFN-γ, and IL-6 in SLE patients increased significantly compared with healthy controls (p<0.05). The relative amount of IL-37 mRNA increased by 2.45-fold in pre-treatment SLE patients compared with controls (p<0.05). Plasma concentrations of IL-37 correlated with IL-18, IL-18BP, IFN-γ, IL-6 and SLEDAI score in both pre-treatment and post-treatment SLE patients. The plasma levels of IL-37 decreased significantly after treatment of glucocorticoid. The relative amount of IL-37 mRNA decreased by 24.5 % in post-treatment SLE patients compared with pre-treatment ones (p<0.01). In conclusion, IL-37 is upregulated in active SLE patients. IL-37 is correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokines and SLEDAI. Glucocorticoid can downregulate the expression of IL-37 and other cytokines in SLE patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107# Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Lijun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Yuchen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Huaxiang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: Weiwei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xingfu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C508587:IL37 protein, human; D007375:Interleukin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011241:Prednisone