Elevated levels of interleukin-27 and effect on production of interferon-γ and interleukin-17 in patients with Behçet's disease

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of rheumatology Vol. 42; no. 1; pp. 48 - 51
• Main Authors: Shen, H, Xia, LP, Lu, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 01.01.2013; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Behcet Syndrome - blood; Behcet Syndrome - immunology; Cells, Cultured; Female; Humans; Interferon-gamma - biosynthesis; Interferon-gamma - blood; Interferon-gamma - immunology; Interleukin-17 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-17 - blood; Interleukin-17 - immunology; Interleukins - blood; Interleukins - immunology; Interleukins - pharmacology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - drug effects; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Male; Middle Aged; Recombinant Proteins - pharmacology; Uveitis - blood; Uveitis - immunology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0300-9742; 1502-7732
• DOI: 10.3109/03009742.2012.704391

Objectives: To measure the levels of interleukin (IL)-27, interferon (IFN)-γ, and IL-17 in serum and supernatants of stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with Behçet's disease (BD) compared with healthy subjects, and to evaluate the effect of recombinant human IL-27 (rhIL-27) on IFN-γ and IL-17 production by PBMCs. Methods: Forty-three patients with BD and 40 healthy controls were included in this study. The serum levels of IL-27, IFN-γ, and IL-17 and their production by PBMCs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), together with the effects of levels of rhIL-27 on IFN-γ and IL-17 production by PBMCs. Results: There were significantly higher levels of IL-27, IFN-γ, and IL-17 in sera of patients with BD compared with the controls. Levels of IL-27, IFN-γ, and IL-17 in BD patients with active uveitis were significantly higher than in those without. Moreover, IL-27, IFN-γ, and IL-17 production by stimulated PBMCs was increased in BD patients compared to controls. In the presence of rhIL-27, stimulation of PBMCs from BD patients resulted in decreased production of IL-17 but increased production of IFN-γ. Conclusions: These findings suggest that IL-27, IFN-γ, and IL-17 play a role in the pathogenesis of BD.