狼疮性肾炎患者外周血中IL-18的表达以及FK506、CsA和DEX的抑制作用

目的 :探讨IL 18在活动性狼疮性肾炎 (LN)患者中的表达以及免疫抑制剂FK5 0 6、环孢霉素A(CsA)和地塞米松 (DEX)对其表达的抑制作用。方法 :取 16例活动性LN患者和 10例正常人空腹静脉全血 ,分为未刺激组、脂多糖 /植物血凝素(LPS/PHA)刺激组、LPS/PHA FK5 0 6组、LPS/PHA CsA组和LPS/PHA DEX组在体外培养 2 4h ,采用ELISA法检测培养上清中IL 18的水平 ,应用半定量的RT PCR检测全血培养细胞中IL 18mRNA的表达 ,以及FK5 0 6、CsA和DEX对其表达的抑制作用。结果 :活动性LN患者全血培养的细胞自发及以LPS/PHA刺激后 ,IL 18mRNA和其蛋白的表达显著高于正常对照组 (P <0 .0 1) ;FK5 0 6、CsA和DEX对LPS/PHA刺激的LN患者全血培养细胞IL 18mRNA及其蛋白表达的抑制作用明显大于对正常对照组的抑制作用。结论 :IL 18在活动性LN患者LN的发病机制中可能起着重要的作用 ,抑制IL 18的产生有望成为活动性LN治疗的一个新途径     

选择性Caspase-1抑制剂对BXSB狼疮性肾炎小鼠治疗作用研究

目的研究特异性Caspase-1抑制剂对狼疮性肾炎（LN）的治疗作用及其作用机制.方法应用特异性Caspase-1抑制剂AC-YVAD-CMK处理LN模型BXSB小鼠4周,然后观察此潜在药物对该模型尿蛋白浓度、肾功能和血清自身抗体水平以及肾脏病理形态学的影响,继之检测它对肾脏局部及全身系统Caspase-1活性以及其下游细胞因子IL-18和IFN-γ表达的影响.结果未治疗LN模型血清肌酐（Scr）、血清抗ds-DNA抗体水平以及尿蛋白浓度显著升高（P均＜0.05）;肾小球IgG沉积及肾小球病理损伤程度显著较对照小鼠严重（P均＜0.005）;肾脏及脾脏Caspase-1活性显著升高（P＜0.01）,成熟形式IL-18蛋白表达升高（P＜0.001）,IFN-γmRNA表达显著上调（P＜0.05）;血清IFN-γ水平也显著升高（P＜0.01）.ICE抑制剂处理后Scr、抗ds-DNA抗体水平及尿蛋白浓度显著回降（P＜0.05）;肾小球病理损伤较未处理组显著减轻（P＜0.05）,但肾小球IgG沉积差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;肾脏及脾脏Caspase-1活性、成熟IL-18蛋白表达和IFN-γ mRNA表达均有不同程度回降（P均＜0.05）,血清IFN-γ水平也显著回降（P＜0.05）.结论选择性Caspase-1抑制剂对LN肾损伤具有良好的保护作用,抑制Caspase-1活性,进而抑制IL-18等细胞因子的活化和下游因子IFN-γ等的表达是其主要作用机制.     

狼疮性肾炎患者外周血IL-18水平及其基因表达

为了探讨白细胞介素 18(IL 18)在狼疮性肾炎 (LN )发生、发展中的作用。我们采用逆转录多聚酶链反应 (RT PCR )及酶联免疫吸附 (ELISA )法测定 16例正常人及 18例LN患者外周血单个核细胞 (PBMC )IL 18mRNA表达量及其血浆水平。结果提示LN患者PBMCIL 18mRNA表达量及血浆IL 18水平均较正常对照组显著增高 [IL 18mRNA表达量为 :1 2 6 2± 0 189vs0 84 4± 0 15 5 ,P <0 0 0 1;IL 18血浆水平为 :(82 2 0 9± 5 32 77)pg/mlvs (2 39 5 7± 75 0 6 )pg/ml,P <0 0 0 1]。且WHOIV型LN增高较非IV型LN更为显著 [IL 18mRNA表达量为 :1 32 9± 0 2 1vs 1 138± 0 15 2 3,P <0 0 5 ;IL 18血浆水平为 :(1135 5 4± 5 15 34)pg/mlvs (5 0 8 6 5± 341 36 )pg/ml,P <0 0 1]。另外 ,血浆IL 18水平与肾组织活动指数 ,肾小管间质损害程度呈等级相关 (r分别为 :0 6 10和 0 4 99,P均 <0 0 5 ) ,也与血清肌酐 (Scr) ,血清内生肌酐清除率 (Ccr)及 2 4h尿蛋白排泄量 (2 4hUPQ )呈直线相关 (r分别为 :0 898、 0 6 2 8和 0 5 37,P均 <0 0 5 )。本研究认为循环IL 18表达和分泌增高可能参与LN的免疫发病过程 ,并与狼疮活动有一定的关系     

CsA和FK506作用机制的研究进展

环胞霉素Ａ和ＦＫ５０６是现有的强效免疫抑制剂，它们特异性地抑制Ｔ细胞活化过程中早期基因的转录。其作用机理是由于它们与细胞内各自的免疫新合素结合形成药物／免疫亲合素复合体，后者与胞浆内的神经钙蛋白结合，抑制其活性，从而阻止ＮＦ－ＡＴＣ的核内转称过程，进一步抑制ＩＬ－２基因的转录活性，抑制Ｔ细胞的活化过程。     

白细胞介素17 在狼疮性肾炎小鼠中的表达及抗白细胞介素17抗体的干预作用

 目的:探讨白细胞介素17（IL-17）在狼疮性肾炎(LN）小鼠中的表达及抗IL-17抗体的干预作用。方法:11周龄的雌性MRL/lpr小鼠36只随机分为实验组和干预组,另有同龄雌性昆明小鼠18只为对照组。干预组每只小鼠腹腔注射抗小鼠IL-17多克隆抗体20 μg,每2周1次,至实验观察点结束。各组分别于第1次给药后的24 h、14 d及28 d处死6只小鼠。光镜下观察肾脏病理情况,ELISA法检测小鼠血清IL-17的含量,免疫组化法检测肾组织IL-17的表达水平。结果:MRL/lpr小鼠肾小球系膜细胞及基质弥漫增生,肾小管上皮细胞颗粒及空泡变性,灶状萎缩,肾间质淋巴及单核细胞浸润伴纤维化;而干预组肾脏病理改变较实验组为轻。MRL/lpr小鼠的血清IL-17含量在实验组各时点均显著高于对照组（P<0.05）,而在干预组各时点均显著低于实验组（P<0.05）。IL-17在实验组小鼠肾小管上皮细胞中的表达明显增强,在各时点均显著高于对照组（P<0.05）;在干预组,IL-17在各时点的表达均显著低于实验组（P<0.05）。结论:IL-17在MRL/lpr小鼠血清与肾组织中的表达显著增加,而抗IL-17抗体可通过抑制IL-17的表达而抑制LN的炎症免疫反应,减轻肾脏病理损害。     

狼疮性肾炎患者血浆和肾组织中IL-13的表达分析

狼疮性肾炎 (ＬＮ )是由体液免疫和细胞免疫共同参与的自身免疫性疾病。ＩＬ 13可抑制细胞免疫 ,促进Ｂ细胞的增殖和抗体的分泌。我们检测了ＬＮ患者血浆及肾组织ＩＬ 13的表达 ,并分析其与肾功能及狼疮活动指标的相关关系 ,探讨ＩＬ 13在ＬＮ发病机制及其活动性病变中的作用。1　材料与方法1 1　材料　人ＩＬ 13ＥＬＩＳＡ试剂盒购自Ｅｎｄｏｇｅｎ公司 ,羊抗人ＩＬ 13多克隆抗体及免疫组化ＡＢＣ试剂盒均购自ＳａｎｔａＣｒｕｚ公司。1 2　方法1 2 1　研究对象　检测血浆ＩＬ 13水平的正常对照 11例 ,平均年龄 2 8 5岁 ,均为健康志愿者。…     

狼疮性BXSB小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞增殖与凋亡的初步分析

为了比较全面准确地了解系统性红斑狼疮 (SLE )BXSB小鼠的发病过程中 ,淋巴细胞增殖与凋亡的动力学变化及其机制。采用细胞双色荧光染色的标记技术 ,检测了脾脏淋巴细胞中的增殖细胞和凋亡细胞的百分率 ,并且测定了巨噬细胞吞噬凋亡细胞的能力。结果发现 ,发病的雄性BXSB小鼠和雌性BXSB小鼠脾脏中增殖的CD4 + T淋巴细胞和B淋巴细胞百分率显著高于对照C5 7小鼠 ,而凋亡的B淋巴细胞的百分率显著低于对照C5 7小鼠 ;但是 ,雌雄BXSB小鼠和对照C5 7小鼠巨噬细胞吞噬凋亡细胞的吞噬指数相同。本研究结果表明 ,在BXSB小鼠的SLE发病过程中 ,淋巴细胞的增殖速度异常升高、而凋亡速度下降 ,可能与其脾脏肿大有关 ;而且淋巴细胞的增殖与凋亡的失衡与巨噬细胞的功能无关 ,可能与淋巴细胞内在的异常有关。     

LTβR在MRL/lpr小鼠狼疮性肾炎病理发生中的作用及其机制初探

目的研究淋巴毒素β受体(lymphotoxinβreceptor,LTβR)在狼疮性肾炎病理发生中的作用及其机制。方法选取12周龄、雌性的MRL/lpr小鼠作为狼疮性肾炎小鼠模型,将其随机分为3组:生理盐水处理组、Human-Ig处理组和LTβR-Ig处理组,分别腹腔注射生理盐水(100μl),Human-Ig(100μg/只,100μl)和LTβR-Ig(100μg/只,100μl),每周1次,连续8周。同周龄和性别的C57BL/6小鼠为狼疮性肾炎模型小鼠的正常对照,每周腹腔注射生理盐水1次(100μl),连续8周。Human-Ig和LTβR-Ig处理组小鼠在首次处理后第2、4、6、8周称体质量。最后一次处理1周后,处死以上4组小鼠,收集肾组织。qRTPCR,IHC和Western blot比较C57BL/6小鼠和MRL/lpr小鼠肾组织中LTβR的表达情况。然后通过HE染色肾组织,qRT-PCR检测肾组织中LTβR、IL-6、MCP-1、TNF-α的表达水平;Western blot检测肾组织核转录因子κB(nuclear factor-kappa B,NF-κB)的活化情况,以C...     

脱氢表雄酮对狼疮性BXSB小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞凋亡的影响

目的 研究脱氢表雄酮(DHEA)对BXSB狼疮性小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞凋亡的影响,并探讨其作用机理.方法 运用流式细胞术、免疫双荧光染色法检测脾脏淋巴细胞凋亡.结果 当DHEA的浓度为10-8mol/L时,淋巴细胞凋亡率降低,与对照组比较有差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),细胞坏死率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);DHEA与西药组或中药组联合应用对淋巴细胞凋亡抑制作用更加显著,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 脱氢表雄酮可明显抑制BXSB小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞凋亡率.     

普乐可复防治大鼠抗肾小球基底膜肾炎的实验研究

目的:观察普乐可复(FK506)防治大鼠抗肾小球基底膜(GBM)肾炎的疗效。方法:复制大鼠抗GBM肾炎模型。实验分3组:肾炎+FK506组、肾炎对照组及正常对照组。大鼠一次性尾静脉注射抗GBM抗血清后6 h内皮下注射FK506注射液(0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1), 至第21 d。对照组则给予等量的生理盐水。定期于第4 d、第14 d和第21 d, 检测大鼠尿蛋白、血清肌酐和尿素氮水平, 观察肾组织病理学改变, 以及检测T淋巴细胞转化功能。结果:肾炎对照组大鼠注射抗血清后于第4d即出现异常蛋白尿, 血清肌酐和尿素氮亦持续上升;肾小球内可见细胞数增加和新月体形成, 肾小管内大量蛋白管型, GBM呈不规则增厚, 足突大片融合;T淋巴细胞转化功能异常。而肾炎+FK506组大鼠上述病变均明显较轻。结论:FK506能够明显改善大鼠抗GBM肾炎的肾功能。     

FK506, a novel immunosuppressive agent, induces antigen-specific immunotolerance in active Heymann''s nephritis and in the autologous phase of Masugi nephritis.

FK506 is a new drug which has potent immunosuppressive activity. We studied its immunosuppressive effects on active Heymann's nephritis and the autologous phase of Masugi nephritis. The induction of active Heymann's nephritis was completely suppressed by FK506 injected simultaneously with the antigen (day 1) and then daily for 14 days at a dose of 0.64 mg/kg per day or more. With a lower dosage of this agent, antibody production and immune deposits in the glomerular basement membrane occurred despite the suppression of proteinuria. Similar results were obtained in rats on other treatment schedules (1-7 days or day 8-14 days duration). Rats that were prevented from developing Heymann's nephritis or the autologous phase of nephrotoxic antiserum nephritis by FK506 treatment exhibited a suppressed immune response to a second immunization of the same antigen even 4 weeks after cessation of drug administration: however, they developed antibodies when inoculated with other antigens. Rat peripheral leucocyte counts and serum creatinin were not remarkably influenced by the administration of FK506. These results indicate that FK506 has potent immunosuppressive activity, and it is suggested that it is able to induce an antigen-specific immunotolerance.     

Delivering PD-1 inhibitory signal concomitant with blocking ICOS co-stimulation suppresses lupus-like syndrome in autoimmune BXSB mice

BXSB mice spontaneously develop an autoimmune syndrome characterized by hypergammaglobulinemia, autoantibody production, and the development of fatal glomerulonephritis that closely resembles systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in humans. While blocking positive T cell co-stimulation has shown effectiveness in preventing the onset of murine lupus, deliberate delivering negative co-stimulation to halt unwanted T and B cell activation has not been tested. We developed a recombinant adenovirus containing the full-length mouse PD-L1 gene (Ad.PD-L1) to engage the immunoinhibitory receptor PD-1 on activated lymphocytes to prevent lupus nephritis in BXSB mice. This strategy was further reinforced by concomitant injection of anti-ICOSL(B7h) mAb to block ICOS-mediated co-stimulation. The combined therapy dramatically delayed the onset of proteinuria, effectively inhibited IgG autoantibody production, and significantly reduced hypercellularity and deposition of IgG in glomeruli, resulting in almost complete amelioration of lupus nephritis in these animals. Our results indicate the therapeutic potential of simultaneous stimulation of PD-1-mediated pathway and blockade of ICOS-B7h co-stimulation in the prevention of human lupus nephritis.     

FK506-binding protein of Neurospora crassa (NcFKBP) mediates sensitivity to the immunosuppressant FK506; resistant mutants identify two loci

Summary Growth of Neurospora crassa wild-type is inhibited by micromolar concentrations of the immuno-suppressive macrolide FK506. Spontaneous and induced mutations that confer resistance to FK506 identified two loci, fkr-1 and fkr-2. They map on the right arm of linkage group V on either side of inl with fkr-1 being centromere proximal. Allele fb (fkr-2) lacks immunodetectable N. crassa FK506-binding protein (NcFKBP). This demonstrates that the sensitivity of N. crassa towards FK506 is mediated by NcFKBP. FK506-binding proteins have been shown to be highly conserved, i.e., found in all eukaryotic cells tested, and to exhibit peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity in vitro. Possible functions for the loci are discussed. Apart from the resistance to FK506 no other mutant phenotype was detected not even in double mutants that lacked NcFKBP as well as cyclophilin. Cyclophilin mediates the cytotoxic effect of the immunosuppressive drug Cyclosporin A and is also characterized by PPIase activity in vitro. Both FK506-resistant alleles studied exhibit incomplete dominance in forced heterokaryons. A mechanism is proposed to explain this dominance especially in view of the NcFKBP-deficient allele, fb.     

The effect of FK506 and cyclosporin A on antigen-induced arthritis.

FK506 and cyclosporin A inhibited the development of antigen-induced arthritis in the rat and rabbit. FK506 was five times more potent than cyclosporin A in the rat and approximately 20 times more potent in the rabbit. FK506 was effective in both species if administered either from the day of intra-articular administration of antigen or when the arthritis was established. In the rabbit, arthritis returned when administration of FK506 was stopped. FK506 (10 mg/kg/day) caused renal damage which was not observed at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day. Both of these doses were equally effective at inhibiting the arthritis. The conclusion from these studies is that FK506 is a more effective anti-arthritic agent than cyclosporin A and that a pronounced therapeutic effect can be achieved at non-toxic doses of the drug.     

Imbalance of interleukin 18 and interleukin 18 binding protein in patients with lupus nephritis

To evaluate the balance status of interleukin 18 （IL-18） and interleukin 18 binding protein （IL-18BP） in circulation in patients with lupus nephritis （LN） and primary nephrotic syndrome （PNS）, plasma levels as well as mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） of IL-18 and IL-18BP were measured by ELISA and RT-PCR respectively. The ratio of IL-18/IL-18BP was also calculated. Both plasma IL-18 and IL-18BP increased significantly in LN patients while only IL-18BP increased in PNS, which resulted in an elevated ratio of IL-18/IL-18BP in LN but not in PNS patients when compared with normal controls. In contrast, increased level of IL-18 mRNA was only detected in LN but not in PNS group, although IL-18BP mRNA expressions in PBMCs in both groups were higher than that in control. The imbalance of IL-18 and IL-18BP might be involved in the pathogenesis of LN, based on which a therapeutic approach is valuable to be developed for LN.     

Neuroprotective effects of FK506 against excitotoxicity in organotypic hippocampal slice culture

FK506 has been originally classified as an immunosuppressant and is known to exhibit neurotrophic actions in vitro and protective effects on some neurological conditions. We investigated the neuroprotective effects of FK506 on kainic acid (KA)-induced neuronal death in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs). After an 18 h KA (5 μM) treatment, significantly neuronal death was detected in the CA3 region using propidium iodide staining. However, neuronal death was significantly prevented at 24 and 48 h after treatment with 0.1 μM FK506. Using cresyl violet staining, we also observed that an increased number of CA3 neurons survived in the 0.1 μM FK506 group compared to the KA only group. Based on the results of the Western blot analysis, the expressions of 5-lipoxygenase and caspase-3 were reduced 24 h after 0.1 μM FK506 treatment. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and phospho-Akt expression were increased by treatment with 0.1 μM FK506. These results suggest that FK506 may have a positive role in protecting neurons against cell death in the KA injury model of OHSCs.     

Lessons from BXSB and Related Mouse Models

The BXSB murine strain spontaneously develops an autoimmune syndrome with features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that affects males much earlier than females, due to the presence of an as yet unidentified mutant gene located on its Y chromosome, designated Yaa (Y-linked autoimmune acceleration). The Yaa gene by itself is unable to induce significant autoimmune responses in mice without an apparent SLE background, while it can induce and accelerate the development of an SLE in combination with autosomal susceptibility alleles present in lupus-prone mice. Although the genes encoded within or closely linked to the MHC locus play an important role in the development or protection of SLE, the MHC effect can be completely masked by the presence of the Yaa gene in mice highly predisposed to SLE. The role of the Yaa gene for the acceleration of SLE is apparently two-fold; it enhances overall autoimmune responses against autoantigens to which mice respond relatively weakly, and promotes Th1 responses against autoantigens to which mice respond relatively well, leading to the production of more pathogenic autoantibodies, i.e., FcγR-fixing IgG2a and cryoglobulin IgG3 autoantibodies. Yaa⁺-Yaa^? double bone marrow chimera experiments revealed that the Yaa defect is expressed in B cells, but not in T cells, and that T cells from non-autoimmune mice are capable of providing help for autoimmune responses by collaborating Yaa⁺ B cells. We speculate that the Yaa defect may decrease the threshold for antigen receptor-dependent stimulation, leading to the triggering and excessive stimulation of autoreactive T and B cells.