Background and aims This study is aimed at elucidating the potential role of Th22 cells in patients with SLE.

Methods The frequencies of Th22, Th17, Th1 cells were determined by flow cytometry of peripheral blood by the chemokine receptors or/and the intracellular cytokine from a total of 25 patients with freshly diagnosed SLE and 13 age-/gender-matched healthy controls, and the values were compared with disease activity as determined by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity (SLEDAI), serum complement factors (C3, C4), C-reactive protein (CRP), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), Immunoglobulin(Ig), anti-double stranded (ds) DNA and anti-Smith (Sm) antibodies were measured.

Results We found increased Th22, Th17 cells in SLE patients compared with those in healthy controls. The elevated Th22 positive correlated with SLEDAI, ESR, IgG and IgA. Higher frequencies of Th22 and positive correlations between the percentage of Th22 cells and Revised Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (RCLASI) were observed in patients with lupus skin disease.

Conclusions Our data suggests that both Th22 and Th17 may participate in the pathogenesis of SLE and Th22 may migrate to skin and promote inflammation in the lupus skin impairment.