The Effect of IL-17A Kinoid Vaccine on Anti-dsDNA Levels and Plasma Cell Count in a Mouse Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by dysregulated immune response, including overproduction of Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), which promotes B-cell differentiation into autoantibody-producing plasma cells. This study aimed to investigate the effect of an IL-17A kinoid vaccine on improving immune regulation in a Pristane-Induced Lupus (PIL) mouse model by measuring serum anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) levels and splenic plasma cell count. Methods: A true experimental study with a randomized post-test-only controlled group design was conducted. Female Balb/c mice were divided into five groups: negative control (KN), positive control (KP, PIL-induced), and three treatment groups (P1, P2, P3) that were PIL-induced and received the IL-17A kinoid vaccine at doses of 125 µg/ml, 250 µg/ml, and 500 µg/ml, respectively, administered intramuscularly on days 0, 21, and 42. On day 60, serum anti-dsDNA levels were measured by ELISA, and splenic plasma cells (CD19+CD38+) were quantified by flow cytometry. Data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and Pearson correlation. Results: Induction with pristane successfully created a lupus model, evidenced by significantly positive ANA and proteinuria (p<0.05). The KP group showed a significant increase in plasma cell count (47.09 ± 3.77%) and anti-dsDNA levels (0.650 ± 0.01 µg/ml) compared to the KN group (27.71 ± 1.72%, p=0.000 and 0.517 ± 0.01 µg/ml, p=0.000, respectively). Treatment with the IL-17A kinoid vaccine significantly reduced both parameters. The most effective dose was 250 µg/ml (P2), resulting in a plasma cell count of 28.33 ± 1.70% (p=0.000 vs. KP) and anti-dsDNA level of 0.544 ± 0.16 µg/ml (p=0.000 vs. KP). A strong positive correlation was found between plasma cell count and anti-dsDNA levels (r=0.708, p=0.000). Conclusion: The IL-17A kinoid vaccine improves immune regulation in a PIL mouse model by significantly reducing the number of splenic plasma cells and the level of serum anti-dsDNA, with the most effective dose being 250 µg/ml..