Milk fat globule E-8 and interleukin 17 in systemic lupus erythematosus: partners in crime?

• Main Authors: Lamiaa Madkour, Fatema Elgengehy, Marwa Niazy, Shada Ghoneim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Termedia Publishing House 2016-02-01
• Series: Rheumatology
• Subjects: apoptosis; autoimmune diseases; MFG-E8; systemic lupus erythematosus
• Online Access: http://www.termedia.pl/Milk-fat-globule-E-8-and-interleukin-17-in-systemic-lupus-erythematosus-partners-in-crime-,18,26868,1,1.html
• ISSN: 0034-6233; 2084-9834

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-factorial, autoimmune disease with a wide array of manifestations. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-17 has been implicated in the inflammatory response and tissue damage in SLE; however, its correlation with disease activity is still questionable. Meanwhile, efficient clearance of apoptotic cells is required for immune tolerance. An abnormally low or high level of milk fat globule (MFG-E8) can result in impaired apoptotic cell clearance and the subsequent autoimmune response. In this study, we endeavoured to compare the levels of MFG-E8 and IL-17 in SLE patients and healthy controls and to reveal the alleged association of these levels with SLE disease activity. Material and methods: Serum samples from 57 SLE patients and 30 healthy control subjects were examined for quantitation of MFG-E8 and IL-17 levels using ELISA. Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity was calculated using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings of the patients were also recorded. Results : We report that serum MFG-E8 levels were significantly elevated in the sera of SLE patients compared to healthy controls (p-value = 0.019). Likewise, IL-17 levels were higher in SLE patients (p-value < 0.001). A positive correlation was revealed between MFG-E8 level and proteinuria. Surprisingly, there was a poor correlation between disease activity and the levels of either IL-17 or MFG-E8. Conclusions : Although serum MFG-E8 and IL-17 levels were higher in SLE patients than in normal controls, our results indicate that they cannot accurately reflect the disease activity. Meanwhile, further studies are needed to assess MFG-E8 and IL-17 as potential therapeutic targets in SLE patients.