... Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease accompanied by a disturbed T -cell balance skewed towards effector T-cells, in particular Th17-cells. The novel cytokine interleukin-21 ... Horiuchi T, Kimoto Y, Tsukamoto H, Uchino A, Tamimoto Y, Miyagi Y, Harada M: Decreased expression of interleukin-21 receptor on peripheral B lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus. Int J ... PMA, phorbol myristate acetate; (ROR)-γt, factors retinoid-related orphan receptor; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus; SLEDAI, systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index; Competing...