Saeed Mohammadi - Stem Cell Research Center, Deputy of Research and Technology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran|Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Sima Sedighi - Department of Rheumatology, Golestan Rheumatology Research Center, Deputy of Research and Technology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Ali Memarian - Department of Medical Immunology, Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Deputy of Research and Technology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

Background & Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with chronic inflammatory immune response. Current therapies mostly rely on glucocorticoids which are accompanied by side-effects and mostly fail to achieve a favorable remission. Th17 subpopulation of T cells is increased in exacerbated SLE as IL-17 cytokine is overexpressed. However, IL-17 is reported to be resistant to glucocorticoids in various disorders. Here, we evaluated the plasma level of IL-17 among newly diagnosed and under-treatment SLE patients to understand the effect of glucocorticoids on Th17 response.  Methods: A total of 40 female SLE patients and 20 age- and sex- matched normal subjects were enrolled. IL-17 plasma level was evaluated using ELISA cytokine assay and analyzed with previously obtained IL-10, IFN-γ, and GILZ levels. Results: Our findings revealed that IL-17 was overexpressed among under-treatment SLE patients. There was a significant correlation between IL-17 and IFN-γ and significant reverse correlations between IL-17, IL-10, and GILZ levels. IL-17 was not significantly correlated with the disease activity. Conclusion: According to the role of IL-17 in tissue injury and the fact that glucocorticoids are not successful in preventing organ damages in SLE, the overexpressed IL-17 in response to therapies could be introduced as an underlying reason.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, IL-17, glucocorticoids, pathogenesis, organ damage, Treatment