TLR4介导高迁移率族蛋白致系统性红斑狼疮肾损害的作用研究

目的 探讨高迁移率族蛋白1(HMGB1)致红斑性狼疮肾损害的作用机制与Toll样受体4(Toll-like receptor 4,TLR4)表达的相关性.方法 ELISA检测12例健康对照组、16例系统性红斑狼疮(systemic lupus eqrthematosus,SLE)无肾脏损害和18例狼疮性肾炎(lupus nephritis,LN)患者血清中HMGB1、基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)和基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂-2(TIMP-2)的表达情况;流式细胞术检测外周血CD3/TLR4和CD14/TLR4表达情况;分离外周血单个核细胞(PBMC),RT-PCR检测HMGB1 mRNA的表达变化.结果 HMGB1 mRNA相对表达量及血清中HMGB1蛋白在LN组明显高于SLE组和健康对照组;流式细胞术显示CD14+的单核细胞表面HMGB1受体TLR4在LN组表达最高(P＜0.05),且与尿蛋白呈正相关(P＜0.01);LN患者血清中MMP-2和TIMP-2蛋白的浓度明显低于SLE和健康对照组,同时MMP-2/TIMP-2比值下降.HMGB1 mRNA及CD14+/TLR4+与MMP-2/TIMP-2比值均呈显著负相关;LN组患者血清中HMGB1蛋白水平与蛋白尿呈正相关,与MMP-2/TIMP-2比值呈显著负相关.结论 HMGB1是狼疮性肾炎发病中的重要细胞因子;HMGB1可能部分通过TLR4激活PBMC,降低MMP-2/TIMP-2的活性,从而引起蛋白尿.     

RECK、基质金属蛋白酶-9和血管内皮生长因子在子痫前期患者胎盘组织中的表达

目的检测子痫前期患者胎盘组织中RECK、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的基因表达,探讨它们与胎盘滋养细胞浸润过程的调控关系。方法采用RT-PCR、Western blotting、免疫组织化学检测120例妊娠足月剖宫产(正常妊娠、轻度子痫前期、中度子痫前期、重度子痫前期各30例)胎盘组织中RECK、MMP-9、VEGF的基因表达。结果 3组子痫前期患者胎盘组织中MMP-9及VEGF的mRNA表达水平均显著低于正常妊娠组(P0.05);重度子痫前期组中RECK mRNA的表达显著高于正常妊娠组(P0.05);3组子痫前期患者胎盘组织中MMP-9及VEGF蛋白表达均显著低于正常妊娠组(P0.05),中度和重度子痫前期组中RECK蛋白表达显著高于正常妊娠组(P0.05)。结论子痫前期患者胎盘中RECK与MMP-9、VEGF之间存在负相关性,它们可能参与了胎盘滋养细胞浅浸润过程的调控。     

系统性红斑狼疮外周血单个核细胞cFLIP-L mRNA和cFLIP-S mRNA表达的研究

目的 探讨系统性红斑狼疮(system lupus erythematosus,SLE)患者外周血单个核细胞(peripheral blood monouuclear cells,PBMC)中细胞型Fas相关死亡域样白介素-1β转换酶抑制蛋白(cFLIP)表达的意义.方法 应用半定量RT-PCR方法检测38例SLE患者和21名正常人PBMC中cFLIP-L mRNA和cFLIP-S mRNA的表达水平,并与SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)评分进行相关性分析.结果 ① SLE患者PBMC中cFLIP-L mRNA和cFLIP-S mRNA表达水平均明显高于正常对照组(P＜0.01);SLE患者活动组cFLIP-L mRNA表达水平显著高于非活动组(P＜0.05),cFLIP-S mRNA表达水平在SLE患者活动组与非活动组之间没有显著性差异(P＞0.05). ② SLE患者cFLIP-L mRNA表达水平与SLEDAI评分呈正相关(r=0.423,P＜0.01);而cFLIP-S mRNA表达水平与SLEDAI评分无明显相关性(r=0.270,P＞0.05).结论 cFLIP-L mRNA和cFLIP-S mRNA可能在SLE发病机制中起重要作用.     

基质金属蛋白酶-9和血管内皮生长因子在子痫前期患者胎盘组织中的表达

目的 检测子痫前期患者胎盘组织中RECK、基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）、血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）的基因表达,探讨它们与胎盘滋养细胞浸润过程的调控关系。 方法 采用RT-PCR、Western blotting、免疫组织化学检测120例妊娠足月剖宫产（正常妊娠、轻度子痫前期、中度子痫前期、重度子痫前期各30例）胎盘组织中RECK、MMP-9、VEGF的基因表达。结果 3组子痫前期患者胎盘组织中MMP-9及VEGF的mRNA表达水平均显著低于正常妊娠组（P<0.05）;重度子痫前期组中RECK mRNA的表达显著高于正常妊娠组（P<0.05）;3组子痫前期患者胎盘组织中MMP-9及VEGF蛋白表达均显著低于正常妊娠组（P<0.05）,中度和重度子痫前期组中RECK蛋白表达显著高于正常妊娠组（P<0.05）。结论 子痫前期患者胎盘中RECK与MMP-9、VEGF之间存在负相关性,它们可能参与了胎盘滋养细胞浅浸润过程的调控。     

尘螨诱导新生儿脐血单个核细胞ICOS与转录因子表达的研究

为了解尘螨(HDM)抗原对新生儿脐血单个核细胞(CBMC)及成人外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)CD3+ICOS+细胞阳性率、转录因子T-bet、GATA-3、Foxp3 mRNA表达水平以及培养上清中IL-4、IL-10、IFN-γ表达水平的影响。用流式细胞术,检测新生儿CBMC、成人PBMC体外经PHA和/或HDM抗原刺激前、后CD3+ICOS+细胞阳性率;用RT-PCR法检测细胞体外经PHA和/或HDM抗原刺激前、后T-bet、GATA-3以及Foxp3 mRNA表达水平;用ELISA法,检测细胞在体外经PHA和/或HDM刺激前、后培养上清液中IL-4、IL-10、IFN-γ表达水平。结果表明,高剂量HDM抗原显著下调CBMC经PHA刺激后的CD3+ICOS+阳性率(P<0.05),同时也显著上调PHA刺激前其T-bet mRNA表达(P<0.05),而显著下调该类细胞经PHA刺激后的Foxp3 mRNA的表达(P<0.05)。也显著增加其PHA刺激前的IFN-γ分泌(P<0.01),减少其PHA刺激后IL-10分泌(P<0.05)。高剂量HDM抗原对CBMC的作用强于PBMC,可下调CD3+ICOS+阳性率,显著上调PHA刺激前CBMC T-bet mRNA表达,增加PHA刺激前IFN-γ的分泌,减少PHA刺激后IL-10分泌,提示早期接触高剂量HDM抗原对机体免疫功能的影响较强,可促进新生儿Th1样反应,高剂量HDM抗原可能通过作用于下调Foxp3 mRNA的表达而下调CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的功能。     

SLE患者外周血IFN-γ及IL-4细胞因子mRNA的表达研究

为利用实时监测定量PCR技术检测细胞因子mRNA的表达 ,从mRNA水平探讨IFN γ、IL 4mRNA的变化。对初诊SLE患者外周血IFN γ、IL 4的mRNA表达进行检测 ,并同时使用LPS及PHA作刺激剂研究其对SLE患者细胞因子mRNA表达的影响。结果是PHA刺激后 ,正常组IFN γmRNA的表达明显高于SLE组 (P =0 0 2 4 ) ;LPS对正常对照的IFN γ和IL 4的mRNA表达均能明显上调 ,但SLE患者仅表现为IFN γ升高 ,IL 4升高不明显 ;未刺激组SLE患者与正常对照的比较结果显示IFN γ的表达及IFN γ/IL 4有明显降低 (P =0 0 14 ,P =0 0 33)。故SLE患者与正常对照相比 ,IFN γmRNA的表达下降 ,同时SLE患者的IFN γ、IL 4mRNA表达对LPS及PHA的反应下降。由于不同的患者受累系统不同 ,临床表现不一 ,可能T细胞的异常并不相同 ,其免疫系统紊乱的机制也不一致     

系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血白细胞介素15的研究

目的：检测系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）患者血清白细胞介素15（IL-15）水平及外周血单个核细胞（PBMC）IL-15mRNA表达，并进一步分析其临床意义。方法：IL-15检测采用ELISA方法；PBMCIL-15mRNA表达采用原位杂交法检测。结果：①SLE组患者血清IL-15水平显著高于正常对照组（P〈0．01），活动期SLE患者血清IL-15水平显著高于缓解期患者（P〈0．05）。②发生临床肾损害者IL-15水平明显高于无肾损害者（P〈0．05），出现血清抗dsDNA抗体阳性、低补体C3血症、高IgG血症者血清IL-15水平均分别显著高于无上述表现者。③SLE患者PBMCIL-15mRNA表达量明显高于正常对照组（P〈0．05），活动期SLE显著高于缓解期（P〈0．05）。④SLE患者PBMC培养上清IgG、IgM和抗dsDNA抗体浓度均显著高于正常对照组；SLE患者PBMCIL-15mRNA表达量与细胞培养上清的IgG及抗dsDNA抗体滴度均呈正相关关系（分别为r=0．645和r=0．715，P〈0．05），而与IgM．无相关关系（r=0．451，P〉0．05）。⑤SEE患者PBMCIL-15mRNA表达量与血清IL-15水平呈正相关关系（r=0．726，P〈0．05）。结论：SLE患者存在外周血IL-15蛋白和基因表达异常，且与其分泌免疫球蛋白和自身抗体有关，提示IL-15可能参与SLE的病理生理过程。     

SLE患者外周血单个核细胞分泌白细胞介素6和IgG的研究

我们研究了21例SLE患者和正常人外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)体外培养自发和丝裂原刺激后细胞增殖、IL—6产生、IgG分泌的情况。发现SLE 患者PBMC经PHA和PWM刺激后,细胞增殖的指数降低;用IL—6细胞依赖株(MH_(60)·BSF_2)检测培养上清液中的IL—6,发现活动期SLE患者PBMC自发和PHA刺激后产生的IL—6明显高于缓解期SLE患者(P<0.001)和正常人(P<0.001);活动期和缓解期SLE患者PBMC体外自发分泌IgG量增高,分别为正常人自发分泌量的5.68倍和4.48倍;我们首次用统计学方法分析了SLE患者细胞培养上清液中的IL—6水平与分泌的IgG量的关系,发现两者有显著的相关性(r=0.7046,P<0.001)。     

系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血单个核细胞中白细胞介素-10mRNA表达的研究

目的 探讨白细胞介素(IL-10)在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)中的作用。方法 采用逆转录多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)及酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定40例SLE患者和20例正常对照组外周血单核细胞(PBMC)IL-10mRNA表达及IL-10自发分泌水平。结果 SLE患者PBMC自发分泌IL-10水平及其IL-10mRNA表达水平均显著高于正常对照组(P<0.01),其中SLE活动期明显高于非活动期(P<0.01),而非活动期又明显高于正常对照组(P<0.01)。结论 IL-10在SLE发病中起重要作用,PBMC分泌IL-10水平对SLE诊断和病情活动性监测有重要临床意义,拮抗SLE患者体内IL-10水平,将为SLE治疗开辟一条新途径。     

PTEN对髓系白血病细胞VEGF及MMP表达的影响

目的探讨在慢性髓系白血病中与张力蛋白同源的10号染色体缺失的磷酸酶基因(PTEN)对血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及金属基质蛋白酶(MMP)相互影响及其作用机制。方法 1)研究10例慢性髓系白血病慢性期CML-CP、10例急变期CML-BC及10例正常人骨髓单个核细胞内PTEN、VEGF、MMP-2和MMP-9 mRNA表达水平变化。2)将携带有野生型PTEN和绿色荧光蛋白的腺病毒(Ad-PTEN-GFP)及对照载体腺病毒(Ad-GFP)转染人慢性髓系白血病细胞系K562。MTT检测细胞增殖;荧光定量PCR(FQ-PCR)检测PTEN、VEGF、MMP-2和MMP-9 mRNA水平变化,Western blot及明胶酶谱检测PTEN、p-Akt、VEGF、MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白表达。结果 CML-BC患者中PTEN mRNA表达水平低于CML-CP及正常对照组(P0.05),而VEGF、MMP-2、MMP-9 mRNA在CML-BC患者中均高于CML-CP及正常对照组(P0.05)。以MOI=200转染K562细胞3d后Ad-PTEN-GFP组K562细胞内VEGF、MMP-2、MMP-9 mRNA表达水平均明显低于Ad-GPF组和未转染组(P0.05),PTEN与VEGF、MMP-2、MMP-9 mRNA表达水平呈负相关,转染Ad-PTEN-GFP组与转染Ad-GFP组比较VEGF、MMP-2、MMP-9 mRNA表达水平分别降低79.12%,82.99%,82.52%,p-Akt及VEGF、MMP-2、MMP-9蛋白表达水平分别降低96.15%,80.88%,65.03%,78.99%。结论 PTEN基因可能通过抑制VEGF、MMP-2、MMP-9表达,抑制髓系白血病细胞血管新生及侵袭。     

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and its natural inhibitor TIMP-1 expressed or secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was involved in inflammation and immune system dysfunctions. Besides immunologic abnormalities, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) also presents chronic inflammatory components. Therefore, a role of MMP-9 in SLE pathology might be supposed. To verify this hypothesis, SLE patients and healthy donors were compared for the MMP-9 and MMP-9 mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), the spontaneous secretion of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 and the MMP-9 activity. Thus, we found that fresh PBMCs from SLE patients expressed a significantly higher activity of MMP-9 and spontaneously released higher levels of MMP-9, as compared to healthy donors, while the secreted TIMP-1 level was the same for both groups. When the patients were sub-grouped based on disease status, the most increased pro-MMP-9 activity inside the PBMCs was identified for relapse SLE sub-group. A similar observation for SLE patients with positive serum fibrinogen was found. Following culture, the PBMCs from remission SLE patients secreted significantly higher MMP-9 level, than the PBMCs from relapse SLE patients. PBMCs from relapse SLE patients secreted the highest levels of TIMP-1, although this difference was not statistically significant. Taken together, these observations suggested the multiple roles of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in progress of inflammation and tissue damage and/or in repair, depending on clinical stages of SLE.     

T(H)1/T(H)2 cytokine profile,metalloprotease-9 activity and hormonal status in pregnant rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus patients

During the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), several immune and neuroendocrine changes associated with pregnancy may exert positive (amelioration) or negative (exacerbation) effects on the clinical outcome. In order to shed light on the mechanisms underlying these responses, we performed a prospective longitudinal study in RA and SLE pregnant women, including healthy pregnant women as a control group. Cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) expression assessed by quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), cytokine levels and lymphocyte proliferation responses (LPR) following phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation of PBMC, plasma metalloprotease-9 activity (MMP-9) and hormonal status during pregnancy were determined. TNFa was the most abundant cytokine mRNA expressed in PBMC in all groups studied (healthy pregnant women, RA and SLE pregnant patients). However, a general TH2 response reflected by high IL-10 levels was found in RA, as well as SLE, patients. A significant change in IFN-gamma was observed in RA patients but only during the first trimester of pregnancy. This compared with a major TH1 response in healthy pregnant women. Interestingly, our study showed a homogeneous hormonal pattern in RA and SLE patients. Although decreased cortisol levels were observed in all patients studied, this is possibly related to the remission of disease activity status brought about by steroid treatment before and during pregnancy. In summary, we suggest that complex immune and hormonal networks are involved in pregnancy and that rheumatic diseases are very dynamic immune processes that cannot be described with a clear-cut cytokine profile. Furthermore, the observations in this study may reflect treatment-related immune effects more than those associated with disease.     

Nuclear phosphotyrosyl-protein with DNA-binding ability in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

This study examined the phosphorylation of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The cytoplasmic and nuclear protein kinase activity in PBMC from SLE patients was at least five-fold higher than that of normal healthy subjects. PBMC of SLE patients produced different nuclear endogenous substrates on phosphorylation and also displayed distinct protein kinase activity. Nuclear phosphoproteins, with human PBMC DNA-binding ability, of 38 kD and 70 kD were detected from both SLE patients and normal healthy subjects, while the 40 kD phosphoprotein, with tyrosine as the main phosphorylation residue, was found only in SLE patients. Other nuclear phosphoproteins, and most of the detected cytoplasmic phosphoproteins, were present in higher levels in both normal PBMC with mitogen stimulation, such as PHA, and SLE PBMC. The expression level of the 40 kD nuclear phosphotyrosyl-protein showed a positive correlation with the clinical disease activity of SLE. These results suggest that PBMC from SLE patients had distinct tyrosine protein kinase (TPK) activity and/or a different endogenous substrate of nuclear DNA-binding proteins in tyrosine phosphorylation. The possible significance of tyrosine phosphorylation in PBMC of SLE patients in the pathogenesis, and its clinical meaning, are discussed.     

MicroRNA-21 is a unique signature associated with coronary plaque instability in humans by regulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 via reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs

BackgroundCoronary atherosclerotic unstable plaque is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular death. Macrophage-derived matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 is considered for degrading extracellular matrix and collagen, thereby thinning the fibrous cap in plaques. miR-21 is implicated to play an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis. Nevertheless, miR-21 as the biomarker for coronary atherosclerotic unstable plaque remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the prediction role of miR-21 for unstable plaque by pathway study of miR-21 on MMPs and its inhibitor RECK in macrophages.MethodsExpression of miR-21 in macrophages and serum miR-21 as well as MMP-9 was measured in patients with coronary non-calcified plaque, calcified plaque and controls. In vitro experiment was done in human macrophages by over-expressing miR-21 or down-regulating RECK. The regulation of RECK and MMP-9 by miR-21 was evaluated by western blotting and siRNA strategy.ResultsPatients with non-calcified coronary artery lesions had significantly higher miR-21 in macrophages and lower miR-21 serum levels compared to the control and calcified plaque patients. At the same time, the serum levels of MMP-9 were significantly elevated in non-calcified patients. Experiments in vitro indicated that over-expressing miR-21 could induce the expression and secretion of pro-MMP-9 and active-MMP-9 in human macrophages via targeting gene RECK, and knocking down RECK expression by specific siRNA can resemble that of miR-21 over-expression.ConclusionsmiR-21 might be a biomarker for plaque instability by suppressing target gene RECK to promote the expression and secretion of MMP-9 in macrophages.     

Inorganic arsenic alters expression of immune and stress response genes in activated primary human T lymphocytes

Inorganic arsenic, a carcinogenic environmental contaminant, exerts immunosuppressive effects on human T lymphocytes. In particular, interleukin-2 (IL2) secretion and T cell proliferation are reduced when peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from individuals chronically exposed to arsenic are stimulated ex vivo with lectins such as phytohemaglutinin (PHA). However, it is not clear whether the metalloid directly acts on T cells or blocks monocyte-dependent accessory signals activated by PHA. We report that in vitro pre-treatment of PBMC with sodium arsenite (NaAs) reduces IL2 secretion and T cell proliferation induced by PHA, but does not prevent expression of monocyte-derived cytokines (IL1, IL6, TNFα) functioning as lymphocyte-activating factors. In addition, we found that NaAs delays induction of IL2 and IL2 receptor α chain (IL2RA) mRNA levels in human primary isolated T cells activated by PHA. Kinetic analysis showed that NaAs pre-treatment first inhibits, but thereafter markedly increases, induction of IL2 and IL2RA mRNA when T cells are stimulated with PHA for 8 h and 72 h, respectively. We conducted whole genome microarray-based analysis of gene expression in primary T cell cultures derived from independent donors. NaAs systematically and significantly up-regulated a set of 35 genes, including several immune and stress genes, such as IL13, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, lymphotoxin α and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Up-regulation of HO-1, a stress and immunosuppressive protein, was rapidly detectable, both in T cells and in PBMC treated with NaAs. Inhibition of the immunosuppressive activity of HO-1 in PBMC however failed to prevent NaAs-dependent inhibition of T cell proliferation induced by PHA. Our findings demonstrate that, at least in vitro, inorganic arsenic acts directly on human T cells and impairs their activity, probably independently of HO-1 expression and monocyte-related accessory signals.