{
  "abstract": "Introduction Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by multisystem involvement, frequently including cardiovascular manifestations. Interleukin 2 (IL-2), a key cytokine in immune regulation, plays a pivotal role in maintaining tolerance by promoting regulatory T cell function. The relationship between serum IL-2 levels and specific SLE features remains incompletely defined. The aim of our study was to investigate the associations between serum IL-2 concentrations and disease activity, inflammatory markers, autoantibody profiles as well as cardiovascular and metabolic parameters in a well-characterised cohort of patients with SLE.Methods In this cross-sectional study, 235 patients with SLE were recruited and characterised, including assessment of autoantibody profiles, disease activity indices (SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 (SLEDAI-2K)), Damage Index and remission status. Cardiovascular characteristics were evaluated, encompassing lipid profiles, insulin resistance indices and carotid ultrasound parameters such as plaque presence, intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness. Serum IL-2 concentrations were quantified using an ultrasensitive technique, the Single Molecule Array (Simoa). Multivariable linear regression was conducted to examine the associations between circulating IL-2 levels and clinical as well as cardiovascular manifestations of SLE.Results In multivariable analyses, serum IL-2 levels showed significant positive associations with inflammatory markers including C reactive protein and IL-6. Disease activity, assessed by SLEDAI-2K, was positively correlated with IL-2 levels. Positive and significant associations were also noted, after adjustment for covariates, between IL-2 and specific autoantibodies, including anti-DNA, anti-Sjögren’s syndrome antigen A (SSA), anti-Sjögren’s syndrome antigen B (SSB), anti-Smith (Sm) and antiribosome. Regarding cardiovascular disease factors, triglycerides were positively associated with IL-2 whereas high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol exhibited an inverse relationship.Conclusion Significant correlations exist between serum IL-2 levels and markers of inflammation, lipid profile, disease activity and specific autoantibody profiles in patients with SLE. These findings underscore the pivotal role of IL-2 in SLE immunopathogenesis, reflecting its intricate involvement in modulating both inflammatory responses and metabolic pathways.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medicine, University of Cantabria Faculty of Medicine, Santander, Spain",
        "Rheumatology, Jimenez Diaz Foundation University Hospital, Madrid, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Miguel Ángel Gonzalez-Gay"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Central Laboratory, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Fuensanta Gómez-Bernal"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Beatriz Tejera-Segura"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario Insulsar Gran Canaria Doctor Negrin, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Juan Carlos Quevedo-Abeledo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Immunology, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Enrique García-Barrera"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Immunology, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Luisa María Villar"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Immunology, Marquis of Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "J Gonzalo Ocejo-Vinyals"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Joint and Bone Research Unit, Rheumatology Department, IIS-Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, Madrid, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Raquel Largo"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain",
        "Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Canarias (IISC), Tenerife, Spain",
        "Department of Internal Medicine, University of La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain"
      ],
      "name": "Iván Ferraz-Amaro"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Serum IL-2 levels are associated with disease activity and related to dyslipidaemia and the immunological profile in systemic lupus erythematosus",
  "uid": "d6be9a7c-bc69-5fb7-b508-0ad813dfa121"
}