Relationship between Toll-like Receptors and Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by a loss of self-antigen tolerance and the development of high titers of serum autoantibodies, with a wide range of clinical manifestations and complex etiologies. Its etiology is influenced by various genetic, hormonal, immunologic, and environmental factors. SLE affects around 90% of women of reproductive age. The study aims to evaluate the serum levels of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) in a sample of Iraqi SLE patients and its potential relationship with other clinical and laboratory parameters. The study included 100 female patients and 50 healthy females with an age range of (16-65) years old and healthy individuals with an age range of (16-65) years old and mean ages of (35.72 ±11.66 and 35.72 ±11.66) respectively. The current study is performed to estimate the serum levels of (TLR7, ANA, Urea, creatinine, and Vitamin D3) and a laboratory investigation for ESR, hemoglobin, and white blood cells by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)and automated Fujifilm. Serum levels of TLR7 were increased in the SLE patients compared to the control, and a significant difference has been observed (P≤0.01) among SLE patients compared to the control. Urea, creatinine, and ESR were significantly higher; at the same time, the Vitamin D3, hemoglobin, and white blood cells were significantly lower (p< 0.01) among SLE patients as compared to control. On the other hand, there was no evidence of any correlation between TLR7 serum level and disease laboratory investigation. Keywords: Antinuclear autoantibody, Haemoglobin, Interferon, SLE, Toll-Like Receptor-7, WBC.