title: Serum IL-17A in Behçet's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Behçet's disease is a chronic multisystem disease with spontaneous remissions and relapses. Several studies show that autoimmune mechanisms play an important role in the development of Behçet's disease. Activation of T cells and neutrophils is important in the pathogenesis of the disease. Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is a new cytokine that induces several types of cells to secrete proinflammatory cytokines in many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the serum levels of IL-17A in active and stable Behçet's disease patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-six patients who had active clinic findings of Behçet's disease were enrolled in our study. Seventy age- and sex-matched controls were also enrolled. Serum IL-17 levels were studied in peripheral venous blood samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were found between active Behçet's disease patients and controls in terms of serum IL-17A (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that IL-17A serum levels do not play an important role in active Behçet's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey. Head of the Department: Prof. Nahide Onsun MD, PhD.
authors.forename: Nazan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Emiroglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey. Head of the Department: Prof. Nahide Onsun MD, PhD.
authors.forename: Fatma Pelin
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Cengiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Head of the Department: Dr. U. Gul Bahar Erdem.
authors.forename: Gul Bahar
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Erdem
keywords: Behçet's disease; active; interleukin 17