Crispín, José C.Tsokos, George2011-03-082010Crispín, José C., and George C. Tsokos. 2010. IL-17 in systemic lupus erythematosus. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology 2010: 943254.1110-7243http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:4739309IL-17 is a cytokine with powerful proinflammatory activity. Production of IL-17 is abnormally increased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multiorgan chronic autoimmune disease. In patients with SLE, CD3+CD4−CD8− (double negative) T cells are an important source of IL-17. IL-17 produced by double negative and CD4 T cells participates in the pathogenesis of the disease. IL-17-producing T cells are present in the kidneys of patients with lupus nephritis. IL-17 increased production in patients with SLE can amplify the immune response by increasing target organ inflammation and damage and by augmenting the production of antibodies by B cells.en-USJournal Article2011-03-0810.1155/2010/943254