title: Decreased plasma IL-22 levels and correlations with IL-22-producing T helper cells in patients with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Interleukin-22 (IL-22) and IL-22-producing T helper (Th) cells are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. However, the roles of IL-22 and IL-22-producing T helper cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remain unclear. Plasma levels of IL-22 were measured in 41 patients with SLE (19 new-onset and 22 relapsing patients) and 20 healthy controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile, the percentages of CD4(+) IFN-γ(+) (Th1), CD4(+) IL-17(+) (Th17) and CD4(+) IFN-γ(-) IL-17(-) IL-22(+) (Th22) cells in peripheral lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry, and plasma IL-22 autoantibodies were detected by ELISA in 19 new-onset SLE patients and 20 healthy controls. Plasma IL-22 levels in new-onset SLE patients were significantly decreased compared with relapsing SLE patients and healthy controls. After treatment with prednisone and hydroxychloroquine, the levels of plasma IL-22 in new-onset SLE patients were obviously increased but still lower than healthy controls. There was a positive correlation between plasma IL-22 levels and the percentages of Th22 cells, but not Th1 and Th17 cells. Moreover, plasma IL-22 levels as well as peripheral Th17 and Th22 cells correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). High frequencies of plasma IL-22 autoantibodies were detected in new-onset SLE patients. However, IL-22 levels did not correlate with IL-22 autoantibody. Decreased plasma IL-22 levels and correlation with Th22 cells may be distinct features in new-onset SLE. Moreover, IL-22 and Th22 cell correlated with SLE disease activity.
authors: Department of Rheumatology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Lin
authors: L H
authors: LH
authors: Yue
authors: W Q
authors: WQ
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000097043:Interleukin-22
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007378:Interleukins; D000097043:Interleukin-22