Abstract: Objective To investigate the levels of IL-2,IL-6 and their receptors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) before and after treatment.Methods The levels of IL-2,IL-6and their receptors were detected by ELISA,immunofluorescence labelling technique and flow cytometry analysis,respectively,in peripheral blood taken from SLE patients before and after treatment and normal controls.Results ①IL-2 was significantly decreased(P<0.05),while sIL-2R,IL-6 and sIL-6R were all increased(P<0.05,P<0.01 and P<0.01,respectively),in peripheral blood of SLE patients than those in controls.②Changes of levels of sIL-2R,IL-6and sgp 80 were correlated with SLE disease activity index(SLEDAI)(P<0.01,P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively)in patient group.③The levels of sIL-2R and sgp80were decreased in patients after effective treatment(P<0.05 and P<0.01,respectively).Conclusions IL-2,IL-6 and their receptors are important cytokines which may play certain roles in the pathogenesis of SLE.sIL-2R,IL-6,sgp 80 are closely related to the disease activity,and sIL-2R,sgp 80 may be the useful indicators for the assessment of therapeutic efficacy.

Key words: Lupus erythematosus,systemic, Interleukin-2, Interleukin-6, Receptors,interleukin-2, Receptors,interleukin-6