title: The pro-inflammatory potential of T cells in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  T cells are important to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease progression. This study determined the pro-inflammatory potential of T cells within the rare condition juvenile-onset SLE (JSLE).
  
  
  METHODS
  IL-17A and Th1/Th2-related cytokine concentrations were measured in plasma/serum from JSLE patients (n = 19, n = 11) and HC (n = 18, n = 7). IL17A, RORC, IL23 and IL23R mRNA were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from JSLE and healthy controls (HC) (n = 12). Th17-associated cytokine expression was analysed in the supernatant of CD3/CD28 activated JSLE (n = 7) and HC (n = 6) PBMCs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  JSLE plasma IL-17A level (21.5 ± 5.2 pg/ml) was higher compared to HC (7.2 ± 2.5 pg/ml, p = 0.028). No differences were found in Th1/Th2 cytokines levels. IL = 17A (p = 0.022), IL-6 (p = 0.028) and IL-21 (p = 0.003) concentrations were increased in supernatants from activated JSLE PBMCs. IL-17 F (p = 0.50) and IL-22 (p = 0.43) were also increased but were not statistically significant. IL17A and IL23 mRNA was significantly higher in JSLE PBMCs (p = 0.018 and p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  JSLE T cells have an increased ability to secrete Th17 associated cytokines once activated, which could contribute to the pro-inflammatory disease phenotype seen in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK. lucy_b12@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Lucy E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Ballantine
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Midgley
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Brian F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Flanagan
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Beresford
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000378:metabolism; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020381:Interleukin-17