AB0180 Plasma IL-22 Levels Correlate with Th22 Cells in Patients with New-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: J. Lin
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2014)

<h3>Background</h3> Recently, there is emerging evidence that IL-22 and IL-22-producing Th cells are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The roles of IL-22 and IL-22-producing Th cells in SLE remain unclear. <h3>Objectives</h3> To investigate the correlations between IL-22 and IL-22-producing Th cells (Th1, Th17 and Th22) to further explore the roles of IL-22 and IL-22-producing Th cells in the pathogenesis of SLE. <h3>Methods</h3> Plasma levels of IL-22 and IL-22 autoantibody were measured in 19 new-onset and 20 healthy controls by ELISA. Meanwhile, the percentages of CD4<sup>+</sup>IFN-γ<sup>+</sup> (Th1), CD4<sup>+</sup>IL-17<sup>+</sup> (Th17) and CD4<sup>+</sup>IFN-γ<sup>–</sup>IL-17<sup>–</sup> IL-22<sup>+</sup> (Th22) cells in peripheral lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry. <h3>Results</h3> Plasma IL-22 levels in new-onset SLE patients (53.91±3.94 pg/ml) were significantly decreased compared to healthy controls (72.76±6.11 pg/ml, p&lt;0.001). After treatment with prednisone and hydroxychloroquine, the levels of plasma IL-22 in new-onset SLE patients (63.21±6.25 pg/ml) were obviously increased but still lower than healthy controls (p&lt;0.001). There was a positive correlation between plasma IL-22 levels and the percentages of Th22 cells (r=0.711, p=0.001). Moreover, plasma IL-22 levels correlated with SLEDAI scores and ESR. High frequencies of plasma IL-22 autoantibodies were detected in new-onset SLE patients. However, IL-22 levels didn9t correlate with IL-22 autoantibody (r= -0.100, p=0.683). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Decreased plasma IL-22 levels may be a distinct feature in new-onset SLE. Moreover, IL-22 correlates with Th22 cell and SLE disease activity. <h3>References</h3> Gatto M, Zen M, Ghirardello M, Bettio S, Bassi N, Iaccarino L, et al. Emerging and critical issues in the pathogenesis of lupus. Autoimmun Rev 2013;12:523-36. Zhang L, Li J, M Liu, Ma DX, Hu NW, Li YG, et al. Elevated Th22 cells correlated with Th17 cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Clin Immunol 2011;31:606-14. Ciccia F, Guggino G, Rizzo A, Ferrante A, Raimondo S, Giardina A, et al. Potential involvement of IL-22 and IL-22-producing cells in the inflamed salivary glands of patients with Sjogren9s syndrome. Ann Rheum Dis 2012;71:295-301. Leung JM, Loke P. A role for IL-22 in the relationship between intestinal helminths, gut microbiota and mucosal immunity. Int J Parasitol 2013;43:253-7. Fujita H. The role of IL-22 in the pathogenesis of skin diseases. Nihon Rinsho Meneki Gakkai Kaishi 2012;35:168-75. Mitra A, Raychaudhuri SK, Raychaudhuri SP. Functional role of IL-22 in psoriatic arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2012;14:R65. Leipe J, Schramm MA, Grunke M, Baeuerle M, Dechant C, Nigg AP, et al. Interleukin 22 serum levels are associated with radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2011;70:1453-7. Truchetet ME, Brembillal NC, Montanari E, Allanore Y, Chizzolini C. Increased frequency of circulating Th22 in addition to Th17 and Th2 lymphocytes in systemic sclerosis: association with interstitial lung disease. Arthritis Res Ther 2011;13:R166. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> This work was supported by grants from Medicine and Health Projects of Zhejiang Province (No.2013KYA058). We also would like to thank healthy volunteers and patients with SLE for providing blood samples. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared <h3>DOI</h3> 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.2586