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OBJECTIVES: Many studies indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs) could be potential biomarkers for various diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of serum exosomal miRNAs in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Serum exosomes were isolated from 38 patients with SLE and 18 healthy controls (HCs). The expression of miR-21, miR-146a and miR-155 within exosomes was examined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, we evaluated the diagnostic value of exosomal miRNAs. RESULTS: Exosomal miR-21 and miR-155 were upregulated (p<0.01), whereas miR-146a expression (p<0.05) was downregulated in patients with SLE, compared to that in HCs. The expression of miR-21 (p<0.01) and miR-155 (p<0.05) was higher in SLE patients with lupus nephritis (LN) than in those without LN (non-LN). The analysis of ROC curves revealed that the expression of miR-21 and miR-155 showed a potential diagnostic value for LN. Furthermore, miR-21 (R=0.44, p<0.05) and miR-155 (R=0.33, p<0.05) were positively correlated with proteinuria. The expression of miR-21 was negatively associated with anti-SSA/Ro antibodies (R=−0.38, p<0.05), and that of miR-146a was negatively associated with anti-dsDNA antibodies (R=−0.39, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that exosomal miR-21 and miR-155 expression levels may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of SLE and LN.
Subject(s)
Humans , Lupus Nephritis/diagnosis , Lupus Nephritis/genetics , MicroRNAs , Circulating MicroRNA , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics , BiomarkersABSTRACT
Background: Previous studies have shown that serum VEGF levels were elevated in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially in those with lupus nephritis (LN). In this case control study, we aimed to compare serum levels of VEGF in SLE patients between LN, non-LN and healthy participants to determine the association between serum VEGF levels and the activity and histological classes of lupus nephritis. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 92 SLE patients (46 LN and 46 non-LN) and 26 controls. Data were collected from medical records. Serum VEGF assays were performed by specific, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits (ELISA). Laboratory investigations included urinalysis, urine protein–creatinine ratio, serum creatinine, albumin and VEGF levels. Blood pressure, renal biopsy result and treatment were recorded. LN activity was evaluated using the renal subscale of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (rBILAG, 2004). The rBILAG measures blood pressure (diastolic and systolic), urine protein, serum creatinine, calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), presence of active urinary sediments and histological evidence of active nephritis. Results: Serum VEGF was elevated in SLE patients with LN compared with the non-LN group and healthy controls. The levels found were significantly higher in the sera of patients with active nephritis compared to those with quiescent nephritis (P = 0.024). The study did not find a statistically significant relationship between serum VEGF levels and histological classes of LN. Conclusion: There was no significant difference of serum VEGF level between LN and non-LN SLE groups and between the non-LN group and healthy controls. However, there were increased levels of serum VEGF in the LN group, especially in patients with active nephritis as compared to quiescent nephritis group. This reflects the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis, however the clinical potential of this biomarker needs further study.
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A 16-year-old girl presented with proteinuria and microscopic hematuria detected through mass urinary screening and was diagnosed as having suspected postinfectious glomerulonephritis by renal biopsy. However, heavy proteinuria did not respond to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor therapy. After 6 months, cervical lymphadenitis developed and a neck node biopsy showed subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis. After an additional 2 months, she developed facial erythema and thrombocytopenia. A repeat renal biopsy demonstrated lupus nephritis class IV. She was treated with pulse methylprednisolone(500 mg/day intravenously for 3 consecutive days) followed by oral deflazacort and monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse(1 g/m2) for 6 months. We report a case diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) during medical follow-up after urinary screening.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Humans , Biopsy , Cyclophosphamide , Erythema , Follow-Up Studies , Glomerulonephritis , Hematuria , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Lupus Nephritis , Lymphadenitis , Mass Screening , Neck , Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A , Pregnenediones , Proteinuria , ThrombocytopeniaABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the changes of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)in serum and urine of lupus nephritis(LN)patients in active phase and remission phase.Methods The levels of MCP-1 in serum and urine of 58 LN patients(27 of active phase and 31 of remission phase)were measured by ELISA.The correlation between the levels of MCP-1 in variant phase of LN and other relevant factors were analyzed.Results The MCP-1 levels in sera of both active phase and remission phase of LN patients were markedly higher than those in controls(548.5?347.2 ng/L and 469.1?298.4 ng/L vs 273.3?146.7 ng/L,P0.05).Conclusion The MCP-1 levels in urine of LN patients is more suitable to evaluate the activity of disease as a sensitive marker.
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Objective: To explore the influence of estradiol benzoate in induction of BALB/c mouse systemic lupus erythematosus model. Methods: Gonadectomied BALB/c mice were immunized with homologous spleen cell activated by concanavalin A three times,and at the same time injected with different doses estradial benzoate. Serum antinuclear antibody, antihistone antibody and estradiol in serum and kidney tissue homogenate were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Kidney lesions were detected by hematoxylin-eosine(HE) and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) staining, and by transmission electron microscope for detecting electron-dense agent as well as by direct fluorometric method for detecting immunoglobulin G antigen-antibody complex. Results: BALB/c mice immunized with homologous spleen cells activated by concanavalin A all developed systemic lupus erythematosus, but a statistically significant variation was observed in both autoantibody production and kidney damage were observed with a statistically significant variatron in the groups receiving different dosage of estradiol benzoate group(P
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Objective:To investigate the effect of methylprednisolone that decrease plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) in plasma through mediating the PA/plasmin system.Methods:Employed immunohistochemical technique-ELISA to determine PAI-1 level in plasma.Results:①PAI-1 in LN patients is significantly higher than that in the control group (P0.05).Conclusion:It is thus proved that methylprednisolone is capable of decreasing PAI-1 in plasma through mediating the PA/plasmin system and two shocks is the minimum for effective cure. [