Do glucocorticoids enhance Th17/Th1 imbalance and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 expression in systemic lupus erythematosus patients?
The present work provides the first evidence that aberrant Th17/Th1 balance in SLE is linked to the use of glucocorticoids and suggests that the up-regulatory effect of these drugs on the Th17 population could be associated with their ability to increase STAT3 and IL-6R expression. Additionally, anti-ENA positivity could represent a potential biomarker for Th17 bias.
The findings of this study suggest a potent role for resistin in endometriosis. Further studies are needed to elucidate the biological implications of resistin in endometriosis.