To compare frequency and functional activity of peripheral blood (PB) Th(c)17, Th(c)1 and Treg cells and
the amount of type 2 cytokines mRNA we recruited SLE patients in active (n = 15) and inactive disease
(n = 19) and healthy age- and gender-matched controls (n = 15). The study of Th(c)17, Th(c)1 and Treg
cells was done by flow cytometry and cytokine mRNA by real-time PCR. Compared to NC, SLE patients
present an increased proportion of Th(c)17 cells, but with lower amounts of IL-17 per cell and also a
decreased frequency of Treg, but with increased production of TGF-b and FoxP3 mRNA. In active compared
to inactive SLE, there is a marked decreased in frequency of Th(c)1 cells, an increased production
of type 2 cytokines mRNA and a distinct functional profile of Th(c)17 cells. Our findings suggest a functional
disequilibrium of T-cell subsets in SLE which may contribute to the inflammatory process and disease
pathogenesis
