Increased Circulating Th17 Cells, Serum IL-17A, and IL-23 in Takayasu Arteritis

Table 2

Th17 cells, serum IL-17, and IL-23 levels with respect to disease activity parameters and immunosuppressants.

Activity measured by NIH criteria
	Active ()	Inactive ()	value (Mann-Whitney)
Th17 cells (%)	2.1 (1.4–3)	2.05 (1.6–4.3) ()	0.55
IL-17A (pg/mL)	7.4 (4.7–9)	5.3 (4.4–8.5)	0.56
IL-23 (pg/mL)	14.9 (14.9–17.7)	15 (14.9–30.5)	0.07
Activity measured by ITAS2010 ≥ 4
	Active ()	Inactive ()	value (Mann-Whitney)
Th17 cells (%)	2.2 (1.4–3.1)	1.9 (1.6–4.2) ()	0.80
IL-17A (pg/mL)	7.7 (4.7–9.2)	5.4 (4.4–8.6)	0.54
IL-23 (pg/mL)	14.9 (14.9–19)	15 (14.9–28.7)	0.13
Data with respect to immunosuppressants
	Not on immunosuppressants ()	On immunosuppressants ()	value (Mann-Whitney)
Th17 cells (%)	2 (1.3–2.8)	2.3 (1.6–3.8) ()	0.30
IL-17A (pg/mL)	6.5 (4.7–9)	6.1 (4.4–8.6)	0.85
IL-23 (pg/mL)	14.9 (14.9–20.6)	15 (14.9–26.6)	0.36

Values represented as median with interquartile range in brackets.
Th17 cell population could not be studied in one patient due to technical difficulties.
14 patients were on prednisolone, 11 on oral methotrexate, and 3 on azathioprine.