Objective. To investigate the relationship between interleukin (IL)-16 and
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Methods. Serum levels of IL-16 were examined in SLE patients using an enzym
e-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results. The serum level of IL-16 in the patients was much higher than that
in healthy volunteers (P < 0.001). An increase in IL-16 was observed in pr
oportion to the activity of SLE assessed by the SLE Disease Activity Index
(SLEDAI) score (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions. Our observations suggest an interaction between disease activi
ty and the production of IL-16 in SLE, and reveal that IL-16 is a useful in
dicator of disease activity. This is the first report describing the relati
onship between IL-16 and SLE.