T-CELL DERIVED CYTOKINE IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

IL-16 is a novel cytokine previously characterized as a lymphocyte chemoattractant factor that induces chemotaxis for CD\ T cells, monocytes and eosinophils, and act as an immunomodulatory cytokine that contributes to the regulatory process of CD+4 cell recruitment and activation at sites of inflammation in association with several autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the role ofiL-16 in. the pathogenesis of SLE and its relation to different clinical manifestations • and disease activity. The results showed a significant increase in IL-16 level in patients group compared with control group. It was also found that •its level increases with the•disease activity measured by SLEDAI.

From this study it is concluded that IL-16 a proinflainmatory. cytokine that . plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE, and can be taken as a useful indicator for disease activity together with the previous knO\vn measures for assessment of disease activity.