We examined relative gene expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and serum levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and IL-23 and their association with SLEDAI (SLE disease activity index) score and organ manifestations in pSLE.
Interestingly, we found the combined effect between the G/C genotype of IL-18 (-137) and the A/A genotype of IFNG (+874) gene causing susceptibility of arthritis in SLE patients (OR = 13.22, 95% CI = 1.56-291.66, P = 0.004).
SLE synovial biopsy tissue displayed a significant down-regulation of genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis and a significant up-regulation of interferon-inducible (IFI) genes.
To determine the cellular expression and localization of interferon-gamma (IFN gamma)-inducible protein p16, a new antigen specificity of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and to evaluate the prevalence of anti-p16, particularly in SLE patients.