ABSTRACT
Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is a complex autoimmune disease; different cytokines play a role in the immunopathogenesis of SLE. IL-27 has both immunosuppressive and pro-inflammatory roles and its role is unclear in SLE. To measure serum interleukin [IL]-27 among a group of patients with pediatric SLE [pSLE] and whether it varies with SLE clinical and laboratory features or with therapy. Fifty patients with pSLE and 25 healthy subjects were included. Routine laboratory and immunological markers of SLE were done. Serum IL-27 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for both patients and healthy subjects. Serum IL-27 was significantly lower in patients when compared to healthy subjects [p< 0.001]; 17 patients [34%] had low serum IL-27 [serum IL-27 < 160 pg/ml]. Patients in lupus flare and those in remission had comparable levels [p> 0.05]. Serum IL-27 did not vary significantly between patients with lupus nephritis [LN] and those without evident LN, moreover, it was comparable among different histological classes of LN [p> 0.05]. The disease status in terms of SLE disease activity index was comparable among lupus patients with normal serum IL-27 and those with decreased serum IL-27 [p> 0.05]. Serum IL-27 was not affected significantly with the cumulative doses and the types of the immunosuppressive drugs used [p> 0.05]. Decreased serum IL-27 in SLE might support its involvement in the immune alteration underlying SLE but its exact role remains unclear