Serum Level Determination of Some Immunological Parameters and STAT Genes in Pediatrics SLE Patients Compared to Healthy Control

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus was defined as an autoimmune chronic systemic rheumatic disease. it has many disease phenotypes and clinical symptoms varying from one patient to another, which include mild mucocutaneous manifestations to severe involvement of the central nervous system and various organs in the body. Several pathogenic pathways of immunity play a part in the progression of SLE. The aims of this study are to determine the serum levels of C3, C4, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12 and INF-gamma and disease activity in pediatric Iraqi (pSLE) patients additionally in this study we aim to find the levels of STAT-alpha and beta gene expression change in patients.30 samples were collected from pediatric SLE patients and 30 healthy samples. The serum levels of all the immunological parameters were evaluated by ELISA and the gene expression of STAT-alpha and beta were evaluated by RT-PCR. The results showed lower level in both complements components while increased levels in all interleukins. The gene expression showed increased levels of both genes.