Gm allotypes in blacks with systemic lupus erythematosus

Serum samples were collected from 328 healthy American Blacks and from 61 American Blacks with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Sera were typed for the Gm1,2,3,5,6,13,17, and 21 allotypes as well as for the Km(1) allotype. The frequency of Gm phenotype 1,17;5,6,13 was significantly increased in the SLE patients (p = 0.0001, RR = 3.19, EF = 0.29). Our data suggest the existence of at least two immunoglobulin allotype associated genes that somehow interact to increase susceptibility to SLE in Blacks. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association of Gm and SLE in Blacks.     

Ultrastructure of the Kidney in Acute Interstitial Nephritis

Fifteen percutaneous renal biopsies from patients with acute renal failure due to acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), in almost all cases due to drugs, were studied by electron microscopy. Differential counting of interstitial cells showed an average of 69% lymphocytes (small and large) and 11 % macrophages. Plasma cells and eosinophils were comparatively rare. The infiltrate resembled that of acute rejection, suggesting a cellular hypersensitivity reaction. Proximal and distal tubules were severely affected focally. Migration of lymphocytes through the tubular basement membrane of otherwise well-preserved tubules was considered to be the first phase. Other tubules showed extreme thinning of the tubular basement membrane, with still intact cellular walls. Rupture of the tubular basement membrane and necrotic disintegration of tubular epithelial cells are probably late phenomena. The non-necrotic tubules displayed severe reduction of proximal brush border and proximal as well as distal tubular basolateral infoldings. Focal tubular disintegration leading to tubular block and/or backleak as well as decrease of proximal tubular sodium resorption leading to a decreased glomerular filtration (a mechanism probably also acting in ischemic acute renal failure) may all be factors responsible for the acute renal failure in AIN.     

Polymorphisms of toll-like receptor 2 and 4 genes in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Human toll-like receptors (TLRs) participate in the innate response and signal the activation of adaptive immunity. Therefore, these TLRs may be important in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated, by using a polymerase chain reaction restriction-fragment length polymorphism method, the possible association between the polymorphisms of TLR2 (Arg677Trp and Arg753Gln) and TLR4 (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) genes with the susceptibility or severity of RA and SLE. Our study population consisted of 122 patients with SLE, 224 patients with RA, and a control group of 199 healthy individuals. The TLR2 polymorphisms were very rare in our population; no individual carrying the TLR2-Arg677Trp polymorphism was observed, whereas the TLR2-Arg753Gln polymorphism was present in only 1% of the total population. We found no statistically significant differences in the TLR4-Asp299Gly and the TLR4-Thr399Ile genotype or allele distribution between SLE patients, RA patients, and control individuals. Similarly, no association was found with any of the demographic and clinical parameters tested either in RA or in SLE patients. In conclusion, a case-control study was used to analyze, for the first time, the influence of TLR2 and TLR4 gene polymorphism on the predisposition and clinical characteristics of SLE and RA but provided no evidence for association of TLR2 or TLR4 gene polymorphism with either disease in the population under study.     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞与系统性红斑狼疮病情活动性关系的研究

目的：检测系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋、CD4^＋CD8^＋调节性T细胞亚群，探讨其与疾病活动性、肾脏损伤、血清抗ds-DNA抗体及免疫球蛋白和补体C3含量的关系。方法：采用流式细胞术检测北京协和医院住院和门诊SLE患者（n=37）外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T、CD4^＋CD8^＋T细胞群比例，以15例RA和15例SS组成自身免疫性疾病对照，30例健康体检者作为正常对照，观察调节性T细胞亚群与SLE患者疾病活动性指标SLEDAI、IgG、C3及血清抗ds-DNA抗体的关系。结果：①疾病活动期SLE患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞群比例显著低于正常对照组（P〈0.01），疾病稳定期和风湿性疾病对照组与正常对照组结果差异无统计学意义。疾病活动期和稳定期SLE患者CD4＋CD8＋T细胞群比例都略高于正常对照组，但未发现结果差异有统计学意义（P〉0.05）。②疾病活动期SLE患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞比例及CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋值显著低于稳定期患者（P〈0.01）。SLE患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋值与SLEDAI、补体C3呈低度相关（r分别为-0.491、0.368，P〈0.05），CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞数量与SLEDAI呈负相关（r=-0.578，P〈0.05）。③SLE并发肾病组外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞群比例及CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋值显著低于非肾病组（P〈0.01；P〈0.05）。同一SLE患者治疗前后CD3^＋CD4^-CD8^-细胞和NK细胞降低，CD4^＋CD25^＋细胞、CD4^＋CD25^＋/CD4^＋值及CD8^＋T细胞增加，但未发现这些结果差异有统计学意义。本次研究未发现NK细胞、CD4^＋CD8＋T细胞、CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞群比例在ds-DNA＋组与ds-DNA-组之间结果差异有统计学意义。结论：SLE患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞群比例与SLEDAI成负相关，与肾脏的损害也有密切关系，但与血清抗ds-DNA抗体产生的关系不明显。活动期SLE患者外周血CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞减少，稳定期CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞比例回升，因此推测CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞的变化可能是导致疾病发生和病情发展及相关器官（如肾脏）损伤的关键环节之一。     

Epidemiology,characterization, and diagnosis of neuropsychiatric events in systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction: Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is characterized by a heterogeneity of clinical manifestations. The absence of diagnostic criteria and the lack of clinical trials is a challenge in clinical practice.

Areas covered: A literature review was performed to describe epidemiology, characterization (clinical, immunological, and imaging), diagnosis and treatment of NPSLE. Classification criteria have been the first step towards a uniform definition. More recently, different attribution models have been developed to help to determine if the NP event is due to SLE. Disease activity is a major risk factor for NP events. Cytokines and autoantibodies are associated with NP events, however, only a few studies have identified risk factors for individual NP events.

Expert opinion: Further research needs to search for and validate biomarkers for NPSLE and individual NP events, including neuroimaging findings, attribution models, and serologic markers. This will be a fundamental step in planning randomized control trials in the treatment of NPSLE to improve outcome.     

Pathways linking census tract typologies with subjective neighborhood disorder and depressive symptoms in the Black Women's Experiences Living with Lupus (BeWELL) Study

Depression is a common comorbidity among Black women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an understudied autoimmune disease characterized by major racial and gender inequities. Research is needed that examines how area-level factors influence risk of depression in this population. Latent profile analysis revealed four neighborhood typologies among metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia census tracts that participants (n=438) in the Black Women's Experiences Living with Lupus (BeWELL) Study were living in: Integrated/High-SES, Moderately Segregated/Mid-SES, Highly Segregated/Mid-SES, and Highly Segregated/Low-SES. Structural equation models indicated that highly segregated census tracts were associated with the greatest levels of depression via increased subjective assessments of neighborhood disorder. Policies that invest in segregated areas and address physical and social aspects of the environment that contribute to neighborhood disorder may promote mental health among Black women with SLE.     

两种环磷酰胺冲击方案对狼疮性肾炎的疗效和肿瘤坏死因子的影响

目的：探讨大剂量环磷酰胺静脉冲击治疗狼疮性肾炎（LN）的合理方案及对肿瘤坏死因子（TNF）水平的影响,方法：将51例LN患者分为A,B两组,分别给予2周（A组）和4周（B组）一次环磷酰胺静脉冲击治疗（IV－CYC）,每次用量0．5－1．0g/m2,同时口服强的松1mg.kg^-1.d^-1。用ELISA双抗体夹心法检测LN患者血清和尿TNF水平。结果：A组病情缓解率显著高于B组（P＜0．05）,活动期LN患者血清和尿TNF水平显著高于稳定期,轻度肾功不全患者血清TNF水平显著高于肾功正常者（P＜0．05）,结论：IV－CYC加强的松治疗能显著降低LN患者TNF水平且2周方案优于4周方案,治疗中应根据病情,外周白细胞数和肾功能调整,重症和急进期LN每2周1次,病情轻者可每4周1次,血清和尿TNF的变化有助于监测狼疮活动和肾损害程度。     

老年性系统性红斑狼疮的特点(附48例临床分析)

目的　探讨老年性系统性红斑狼疮患者的临床特征。方法　总结 48例老年性系统性红斑狼疮患者临床表现及自身抗体分布特点 ,并与中青年患者对比分析。结果　老年组蝶形红斑、盘状红斑、光过敏、脱发、雷诺氏现象等皮肤表现及肾损害较中青年组明显少见 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,浆膜炎、肺部病变、肌痛和肌无力、疲乏、血液系统损害明显高于中青年组 ,而狼疮的两项特异性抗体 (抗ds-DNA和抗Sm抗体 )、非特异性抗体 (抗SS -A和抗SS -B抗体 )以及补体C3 下降的阳性率都低于中青年组 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　老年性与中青年性系统性红斑狼疮相比在临床表现、免疫学检查等方面有其自身特点 ,在临床诊断中应给予足够重视。     

整合素血小板膜糖蛋白IIb、IIIa在系膜增殖性肾炎中的表达

目的 :观察整合素血小板膜糖蛋白Ⅱb、Ⅲa(GPⅡb、GPⅢa)在人类系膜增殖肾炎 (MsPGN)中肾内表达 ,探讨GPⅡb Ⅲa在MsPGN的作用。方法 :18例肾活检标本均行光镜HE、PAS、PASM Masson染色 ,电镜及免疫荧光检查 ,以SABC法测定肾组织中GPⅡb、GPⅢa、P 选择素 (P 140 )、纤维连接蛋白 (FN)、粘连蛋白 (LN)表达与正常对照组分别比较 ,并行计算机图像分析。结果 :PAS阳性物 (PAS+ )、PASM阳性物 (PASM+ )及FN、LN明显增生 ;GPⅡb、GPⅢa、P 140表达上调 ;肾小球细胞数 (n)、平均肾小球体积 (AVG)及肾小球硬化指数显著增加 ;肾小管、间质轻度受损。结论 :GPⅡb、GPⅢa在肾小球及肾小管间质表达上调与系膜细胞基质增生、细胞浸润、肾小球硬化相关 ;可能与肾小球疾病中凝血功能紊乱、血小板在肾脏的致病作用相关     

新型免疫抑制剂霉酚酸酯治疗狼疮性肾炎

目的观察新型免疫抑制剂霉酚酸酯(M.MF)治疗狼疮性肾炎的临床疗效和安全性。方法经肾活检证实的20例狼疮性肾炎,给予糖皮质激素联合MMF治疗。MMF初始剂量1.0～1.5g/d,治疗时间321个月,平均(10.9±6.2)个月。结果MMF治疗后24h尿蛋白定量从治疗前的平均5.55g下降至1.54g;d清白蛋白治疗前平均26.87g升至39g;6/8例肾功能不全患者3个月内Scr恢复正常;d清自身抗体产生明显减少,补体上升,其中ANA转阴率3个月达63％,6个月达81％;抗ds-DNA由治疗前23.77IU／ml下降至9.19IU／ml;2例重复活检,肾小球活动性病变明显减轻。MMF治疗的不良反应较少,偶有白细胞减少、感染、带状疱疹等。结论MMF对于各型狼疮性肾炎,尤其是Ⅳ型重症狼疮,经传统治疗无效者均有较好疗效,且长期应用不良反应少。