The Pivotal Role of Interleukin-17 in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is a typical autoimmune illness distinguished by developing many autoantibodies against various cellular components. Interleukin17 (IL-17) is a powerful proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in host immunological defense, tissue healing, and the etiology of inflammatory diseases. Purpose: This study aimed to characterize the demographic and clinical profiles of SLE patients and compare IL-17 levels between SLE patients and healthy controls.  Methods: 126 participants were enrolled, including SLE patients with ages ranging from 10 to 60 years admitted from Merjan Teaching Hospital and AL-Qassim General Hospital during the period from 1^st August 2024 to 31^th January 2025.  and matched healthy controls. Demographic data and IL-17 levels were collected and analyzed using appropriate non-parametric statistical tests to identify significant differences between groups. The concentrations of IL-17 were assessed using a sandwich (ELISA) assay and a standard curve. Results: Consistent with previous reports, the majority of SLE patients were female (96.8%) and primarily in the 21–40-year age range. While the sex distribution was similar between SLE cases and controls, a significant difference in age distribution was observed (p = 0.027). IL-17 levels (90.30) pg/ml are significantly higher in SLE patients compared to controls (36.70 pg/ml) (p < 0.001), suggesting a foundation for future therapeutic strategies targeting this cytokine. Implications: Further investigations should explore the synergistic effects of IL-17 with other inflammatory cytokines, particularly in lupus nephritis and neuropsychiatric SLE Since the study suggests that IL-17 expression correlates with organ involvement, targeted therapies could be tailored to patients exhibiting IL-17-driven inflammation. Additional materials: the research was approved by the local Department of the Ministry of Health, Babylon Health Directorate committee:1542. Conclusion: Research demonstrates a strong association between IL-17 and lupus nephritis and its contribution to neuropsychiatric manifestations of SLE. IL-17 is a possible biomarker for disease severity, emphasizing its involvement in chronic inflammation mediated by T-helper 17 (Th17) cells. By elucidating the inflammatory pathways driven by IL-17, this study advances the body of scientific knowledge on SLE pathophysiology and provides a foundation for future therapeutic strategies targeting this cytokine