title: Serum interleukin-17 levels are associated with nephritis in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the serum interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and to evaluate the association between IL-17 and clinical manifestations, disease activity, laboratory findings and treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 67 consecutive childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients [61 women; median age 18 years (range 11-31)], 55 first-degree relatives [50 women; median age 40 years (range 29-52)] and 47 age- and sex-matched healthy controls [42 women; median age 19 years (range 6-30)]. The childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients were assessed for clinical and laboratory systemic lupus erythematosus manifestations, disease activity [Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)], cumulative damage [Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Damage Index] and current drug use. Serum IL-17 levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using commercial kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median serum IL-17 level was 36.3 (range 17.36-105.92) pg/mL in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 29.47 (15.16-62.17) pg/mL in healthy controls (p=0.009). We observed an association between serum IL-17 levels and active nephritis (p=0.01) and migraines (p=0.03). Serum IL-17 levels were not associated with disease activity (p=0.32), cumulative damage (p=0.34), or medication use (p=0.63).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL-17 is increased in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and may play a role in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric and renal manifestations. Longitudinal studies are necessary to determine the role of IL-17 in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karina de Oliveira
authors.initials: Kde O
authors.lastname: Peliçari
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Postal
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nailú Angelica
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Sinicato
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando Augusto
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Peres
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula Teixeira
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Faculty of Medical Science, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Faculty of Medical Science Department of Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lilian Tereza Lavras
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Costallat
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Laboratory, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Appenzeller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001938:Brazil; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009393:Nephritis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020381:Interleukin-17