Interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase expression and relation to disease severity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Interleukin-2 inducible T-cell kinase (ITK) is expressed in T cells, and plays an important role in autoimmune inflammatory diseases through regulating the balance of Th17/Treg. However, its role in human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unclear. The present study aims to measure the activation status of ITK in T cells from SLE patients and healthy controls, and identify its possible correlation to disease severity. We also discuss the serum levels of Th17, Treg related cytokines including IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-10, analyzing correlation between ITK and Th17/Treg related cytokines. Peripheral blood samples were drawn from 42 patients with SLE and 43 healthy blood donors, and the phosphorylation of ITK protein was studied in T cells using flow cytometry. In addition, serum levels of Th17/Treg related cytokines were studied with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Percentages of CD4+pITK+ T cells, CD8+pITK+ T cells were higher in SLE patients compared with controls, and were positively related to disease activity, some clinical and laboratory parameters. Percentages of CD4+pITK+ T cells, CD8+pITK+ T cells were more prominent in active SLE patients compared with less active patients. Serum levels of Th17 and Treg related cytokines were higher in patients compared with controls. CD4+pITK+ T cells were related to levels of IL-17, IL-21. These data indicate that increased ITK expression could act as a disease activity marker and as a risk factor for involvement in SLE, but it still needs further study to confirm. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Citation

Wang-Dong Xu, Lin-Chong Su, Qi-Bing Xie, Yi Zhao, Yi Liu. Interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase expression and relation to disease severity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry. 2016 Dec 01;463:11-17

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PMID: 27729219

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