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Updated: May 3, 2026

The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus SLE in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: November 1, 2015
The pro-inflammatory potential of T cells in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Lucy E Ballantine1, Joanne Ong, Angela Midgley
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust Hospital Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK. lucy_b12@hotmail.com.
Background:
T cells are important to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease progression. This study determined the pro-inflammatory potential of T cells within the rare condition juvenile-onset SLE (JSLE).
Method:
IL-17A and Th1/Th2-related cytokine concentrations were measured in plasma/serum from JSLE patients (n = 19, n = 11) and HC (n = 18, n = 7). IL17A, RORC, IL23 and IL23R mRNA were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from JSLE and healthy controls (HC) (n = 12). Th17-associated cytokine expression was analysed in the supernatant of CD3/CD28 activated JSLE (n = 7) and HC (n = 6) PBMCs.
Results:
JSLE plasma IL-17A level (21.5 ± 5.2 pg/ml) was higher compared to HC (7.2 ± 2.5 pg/ml, p = 0.028). No differences were found in Th1/Th2 cytokines levels. IL = 17A (p = 0.022), IL-6 (p = 0.028) and IL-21 (p = 0.003) concentrations were increased in supernatants from activated JSLE PBMCs. IL-17 F (p = 0.50) and IL-22 (p = 0.43) were also increased but were not statistically significant. IL17A and IL23 mRNA was significantly higher in JSLE PBMCs (p = 0.018 and p = 0.01).
Conclusion:
JSLE T cells have an increased ability to secrete Th17 associated cytokines once activated, which could contribute to the pro-inflammatory disease phenotype seen in these patients.
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