The aim of this work is to study the role of Th17cells, interleukin- 17 and interleukin-23(IL-23) in the pathogenesis of SLE and to study their correlation with disease activity parameters.
Patients and Methods: The frequencies of circulating Th17 cells in 15patients with active SLE, 15patients with inactive disease and 15 healthy control subjects were measured using flow cytometry after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate(PMA) and ionomycin for 4 hours. Serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The disease activity was evaluated by the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score.
Results: Significantly higher mean frequencies of circulating Th17 cells were found in active SLE patients (1.54 ± 0.38%) and inactive SLE patients (1.23±0.25%) compared to the control group (0.88 ± 0.41 %) (P