Increased Serum Interleukin 10 Levels Are Associated with Increased Disease Activity and Increased Risk of Anti-SS-A/Ro Antibody Positivity in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) plays a role in inflammation and cell-type responses. The anti-SS-A/Ro antibody contributes to leucopenia, and cutaneous and neonatal lupus. Objectives: To evaluate the association between serum IL-10 levels and autoantibodies, disease activity and organ involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Patients and methods: We studied 200 SLE patients and 50 controls. We analyzed organ involvement, disease activity, serum IL-10 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and antinuclear and antiphospholipid antibody profiles. Results: Serum IL-10 and IL-6 levels were higher in SLE patients than in controls (all p < 0.00001). Serum IL-10 levels were positively correlated with IL-6 (p < 0.00001), CRP (p < 0.00001), fibrinogen (p = 0.003), and ESR (p < 0.00001), and negatively correlated with hemoglobin (p = 0.0004) and lymphocytes (p = 0.01). Serum IL-6 levels were positively correlated with CRP (p < 0.00001), fibrinogen (p = 0.001), and ESR (p < 0.00001); and negatively correlated with hemoglobin (p = 0.008) and lymphocytes (p = 0.03). Elevated serum IL-10 levels were associated with an increased risk of anti-SS-A/Ro antibody positivity (p = 0.03). Elevated serum IL-6 levels were associated with an increased risk of heart (p = 0.007) and lung (p = 0.04) involvement. Conclusions: In SLE patients, increased serum IL-10 levels were associated with increased disease activity and risk of anti–SS-A/Ro antibody positivity.

Characterization of Serum Cytokine Profiles of Patients with Active Lupus Nephritis

“…IL-10 has been hypothesized to play a dual role in SLE and LN [21]. While IL-10 is known to display regulatory capabilities, its levels are increased in patients with SLE, even during pregnancy, being associated with higher disease activity [21,22]. Conversely, the abatement of BAFF levels through the use of belimumab was suggested to incite new-onset LN in selected SLE patients, likely through the concomitant decrease in IL-10 [9, [23][24][25][26].…”

Imbalance of Th17 cells, Treg cells and associated cytokines in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a meta-analysis

“…The prevalence of SLE is about 9 times higher in females compared to males, with a mean age of 35 years ( 2 ). The etiology and pathogenesis of SLE are complex and accompanied by abnormal immune responses, such as dysfunction of T lymphocytes and disorder of CD4 + T lymphocytes ( 3 ). Moreover, accumulating evidence suggests that SLE is driven by the imbalances of lymphocyte subsets, especially the imbalance between T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells, disrupting the equilibrium of the immune system ( 4 – 7 ).…”