Emerging role of IL-17 and Th17 cells in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Despite the success of targeted therapies in managing immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) such as RA, IBDs, MS and psoriasis, unmet needs for such approach in SLE are widely recognized. In the past 2years, exciting insights supporting previous lines of evidence on the role of the IL-23/IL-17 axis in SLE have emerged. This is of particular importance as IL-17 blockers have now moved successfully into the clinical space, as illustrated in psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis. However, recent fundamental studies also highlighted unexpected aspects of IL-17/Th17 biology whose comprehension may prevent disappointing results of IL-17 targeting such as those obtained in Crohn's disease. Therefore, establishing a current picture of the IL-17 pre-clinical situation in SLE is timely in order to plan future proof-of-concept studies in human.