Figure 6
Comparison of plasma levels of cytokines in SLE patients categorized based on organ impairment, and correlation analysis of cytokines plasma levels with Th cell subsets and different clinical parameters of SLE patients with either sole lupus skin disease or sole LN. The plasma levels of IL-22 (panel A), IL-17 (panel B), IFN-γ (panel C) and TNF-α (panel D) were analyzed in healthy control and SLE patients from different groups. Differences between groups were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA followed by Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc method. The plasma levels of cytokines IL-22, TNF-α and IL-17 were analyzed for their correlation with Th22, Th17 cell subsets and other clinical parameters, using Spearman’s rank correlation test. Panels (E,F) represented correlation of plasma IL-22 levels with Th22 cells and SI (severity index) in SLE patients with sole lupus skin disease (n = 20). Panel (G) represented plasma TNF-α correlation with urinary protein in SLE patients with sole LN (n = 13). Panel (H–J) represented plasma IL-17 correlation with urinary protein, Th17 cells and cast, respectively in SLE patients with sole LN. P values < 0.05 represented statistical significance.
