Lack of Association between Serum Interleukin-23 and Interleukin-27 Levels and Disease Activity in Patients with Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of multiple autoantibodies, resulting in tissue and organ damage. Recent studies have revealed that interleukin-23 (IL-23) and interleukin-27 (IL-27) may be therapeutically relevant in selected SLE manifestations. This study aimed to identify associations between serum IL-27 and IL-23 levels and disease activity in Polish patients with different manifestations of SLE: neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE), and lupus nephritis (LN). Associations between interleukin levels and oligo-specific antibodies against double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), dose of glucocorticoids, and type of treatment were also analyzed. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess anti-dsDNA antibodies and analyze the serum concentration of IL-27 and IL-23 from 72 patients aged 19–74 years with confirmed active SLE. Disease activity was measured using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI 2-K). No significant correlations between interleukin levels and SLEDAI score, anti-dsDNA, corticosteroid dose, or type of treatment were noted. Patients with NPSLE and LN presented the highest median scores of SLEDAI.

An updated advancement of bifunctional IL-27 in inflammatory autoimmune diseases

“…Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic and complex autoimmune disease. In Polish patients with SLE (either treated with corticosteroid or not), serum levels of IL-27 were not correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score and anti-dsDNA, C3, and C4 levels ( 118 ). This was confirmed in patients with lupus nephritis (LN), where serum levels of IL-27 were not related to SLEDAI score and anti-dsDNA, C3, and C4 levels ( 118 ).…”

“…In Polish patients with SLE (either treated with corticosteroid or not), serum levels of IL-27 were not correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score and anti-dsDNA, C3, and C4 levels ( 118 ). This was confirmed in patients with lupus nephritis (LN), where serum levels of IL-27 were not related to SLEDAI score and anti-dsDNA, C3, and C4 levels ( 118 ). In Southern Chinese patients with SLE (treated with corticosteroid) or Brazilian patients with SLE (treated with immunosuppressive agents), serum levels of IL-27 were lower than those in healthy controls, which were not related to SLEDAI score ( 119 , 120 ) ( Table 1 ).…”