title: Elevated levels of interleukin-27 and effect on production of interferon-γ and interleukin-17 in patients with Behçet's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the levels of interleukin (IL)-27, interferon (IFN)-γ, and IL-17 in serum and supernatants of stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with Behçet's disease (BD) compared with healthy subjects, and to evaluate the effect of recombinant human IL-27 (rhIL-27) on IFN-γ and IL-17 production by PBMCs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three patients with BD and 40 healthy controls were included in this study. The serum levels of IL-27, IFN-γ, and IL-17 and their production by PBMCs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), together with the effects of levels of rhIL-27 on IFN-γ and IL-17 production by PBMCs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significantly higher levels of IL-27, IFN-γ, and IL-17 in sera of patients with BD compared with the controls. Levels of IL-27, IFN-γ, and IL-17 in BD patients with active uveitis were significantly higher than in those without. Moreover, IL-27, IFN-γ, and IL-17 production by stimulated PBMCs was increased in BD patients compared to controls. In the presence of rhIL-27, stimulation of PBMCs from BD patients resulted in decreased production of IL-17 but increased production of IFN-γ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that IL-27, IFN-γ, and IL-17 play a role in the pathogenesis of BD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, 1st Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P R China. shenhuicam@sohu.com
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C508717:IL17A protein, human; D020381:Interleukin-17; D007378:Interleukins; C464565:MYDGF protein, human; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma