Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-organ autoimmune disorder that occurs in genetically prone
individuals. Autoimmunity could not be simply explained by Th1/Th2 cell paradigm. T helper 17(Th17) cells
producing the cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) may explain the promotion and progression of autoimmune
phenomena. This study aimed to investigate the role of Th17cells, IL-17 and interleukin-23 (IL-23) in the
pathogenesis of SLE and their correlation with disease activity. The frequencies of circulating Th17 cells in
15 patients with active SLE, 15 patients with inactive disease and 15 healthy control subjects were measured
using Flowcytometry after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin for 4 hours.
Serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were measured using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Significantly higher mean frequencies of circulating Th17 cells were found in active SLE patients (1.54 ±
0.38%, P