Increased Interleukin-17F is Associated with Elevated Autoantibody Levels and More Clinically Relevant Than Interleukin-17A in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

J Immunol Res. 2017:2017:4768408. doi: 10.1155/2017/4768408. Epub 2017 Jan 22.

Abstract

Th17 related immune response is pathogenic in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). However, the role of IL-17F, one potent inflammatory member of IL-17 family cytokines in pSS, has not been specifically defined. We recruited one hundred and nine pSS patients and forty-two healthy controls and their serum levels of IL-17A and IL-17F were determined by multiplex cytokine assays. White blood cell, red blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, IgM, IgG, C3, C4, RF, ANA, anti-SSA antibody, and anti-SSB antibody were measured by standard laboratory techniques. EULAR Sjögren's syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI) score was also evaluated accordingly. We found that IL-17F was significantly increased in pSS patients. Elevated levels of IL-17F were associated with increased IgG and IgM, higher titers of ANA and anti-SSA antibodies, and reduction of C3 and C4. Patients with higher disease activity also showed higher serum IL-17F levels. However, serum IL-17A was only increased in patients with longer disease duration and showed few correlation with clinical and laboratory features in pSS patients. In conclusion, IL-17F was correlated with increased autoantibody levels and disease activity in pSS and is more clinically relevant than IL-17A.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / immunology
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Interleukin-17 / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / immunology*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Th17 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Autoantibodies
  • IL17A protein, human
  • IL17F protein, human
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Interleukin-17