RESUMEN
Objective: To investigate the potential role of human cytomegalovirus lower matrix phosphoprotein 65 (HCMV-pp65) in murine systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: The prokaryotic plasmid pET-28b-pp65 was constructed to express the HCMVpp65 protein. BXSB mice and C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with pp65 eukaryotic plasmid pcDNA3.0-pp65 intramuscularly 5 times at 2-week intervals, and then the blood of the mice was subsequently collected via the retro-orbital vein. Indirect ELISAs were used to evaluate the concentration of anti-pp65 immunoglobulin G, anti-double-stranded DNA and antinuclear antibodies. Interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were also determined by competitive ELISA. At the same time, 3 major SLE-related circulating microRNAs were examined by quantitative RT-PCR. Results: The early production of autoantibodies was observed in pp65-immunized male BXSB as well as C57BL/6 mice. Overexpression of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were detected in pp65-immunized male BXSB mice. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses showed that three SLE related microRNAs (microRNA-126, microRNA-125a, and microRNA-146a) were downregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of pp65-immunized mice. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that HCMV-pp65 immunization strongly triggers the development and progression of SLE-like disease in both BXSB and C57BL/6 mice, which indicates that the immune responses induced by HCMV-pp65 may be involved in the development of SLE.
RESUMEN
Objective To investigate the potential role of human cytomegalovirus lower matrix phosphoprotein 65 (HCMV pp65) in murine systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods The prokaryotic vector pET-28b and eukaryotic vector pcDNA 3.0 were constructed to express the HCMV pp65 protein.All the C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with pp65 eukaryotic vector intramuscularly five times at 2-week intervals and then were bled via the retro-orbital vein.Subsequently,indirect ELISA was used to evaluate the concentration of anti-pp65 IgG,anti-dsDNA and ANA.At the same time,IL-1 b,IL-6,and TNF-α were determined by competitive ELISA.Results The early onset of autoantibodies and an overexpression of IL-6 were observed in immunized male C57BL/6 mice.Conclusion HCMV pp65 triggers the deregulation of humoral immunity in C57BL/6 mice,which indicates that the immune responses induced by HCMV pp65 may be involved in the development of SLE.