The Role of IL-12 in the Aetiology of SLE and its Connection to HBV Infection in Iraqi Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a significant social and public health issue because the medications used to treat it can only manage the symptoms and halt the progression of the disease, not totally cure it. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between the blood level of IL-12 and SLE, as well as its consequences, such as lupus nephritis (LN), and its active or dormant condition, in Iraqi patients. Method: The study enrolled 90 SLE patients from AL-Sadar teaching hospital, with 66(73.3%) developing lupus nephritis (LN) and 24(26.7%) without LN. Additionally, there were 60 (90.9%) and 6 (9.1) active patients. Only 48 of 90 individuals tested positive for HBsAg, whereas 42(46.6%) tested positive for HBV. Each participant donated 5 ml of blood for anti-dsDNA and IL-12 testing. Results: In SLE patients with LN, IL-12 serum levels were considerably higher than in those without LN(p = 0.05). Different levels of IL-12 were found in the LN groups. Serum IL-12 concentrations were considerably lower in patients with HBV-associated SLE (3.41±0.85 pg/ml), non-HBV-associated SLE (2.05±0.66 pg/ml), and healthy controls (0.53±0.28 pg/ ml). WBC count, ESR, anti-ds antibody, and ANA levels were all elevated in lupus patients and in the active groups. Conclusion: Our research established that SLE patients have elevated IL-12 levels. IL-12 levels were significantly greater in SLE with LN as compared to SLE without LN, and they differed significantly between lupus nephritis classes II, IV, and V. Finally, significant differences in IL-12 levels were seen between HBV and non-HBV SLE patients.