mRNA expression of chemokine receptors on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and correlation with clinical features in systemic lupus erythematosus patients / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of chemokine receptors and interleukin (IL) receptors on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and their correlations with clinical features as well as SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mRNA expressions of chemokine receptors and IL receptors on PBMCs of 93 SLE patients and 30 healthy controls were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, including CCR2, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6, CCR8, CXCR3, CXCRS, CX3CR1, XCR1, IL-4R, and IL-10R. The clinical features of SLE patients were recorded. The correlations of chemokine receptors and IL receptors mRNA expressions with clinical features as well as SLEDAI were assayed using linear regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of CCR5 mRNA in SLE patients (including active and inactive SLE) was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between active and inactive patients in this respect (P > 0.05). CX3CR1 mRNA expression significantly increased from healthy control to inactive SLE to active SLE in sequence. The others (except for CCR8, CXCR3, and IL-10R) in active SLE patients were significantly higher than those in both inactive SLE patients and healthy controls (all P < 0.05). There were positive correlations between SLEDAI and CCR2 (r = 0.424, t = 4.313, P < 0.001), CCR3 (r = 0.518, t = 5.410, P < 0.001), CCR4 (r = 0.376, t = 3.851, P < 0.001), CCR6 (r = 0.457, t = 4.513, P < 0.001), CXCR5 (r = 0.455, t = 4.629, P < 0.001), CX3CR1 (r = 0.445, t = 4.523, P < 0.001), as well as XCR1 (r = 0.540, t = 5.445, P < 0.001). And CCR5 mRNA expression level was positively correlated with IL-4R mRNA (r = 0.313, t = 2.353, P < 0.05). The patients with myositis and cutaneous vasculitis simultaneously showed lower levels of CCR5 and CX3CR1, and CCR5 expression was negatively correlated with the scores of SLEDAI in SLE cases accompanied by photosensitivity (r = 0.426, t = -2.155, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Increased expressions of CCR5 and CX3CR1 on PBMCs may be indicators in clinical survey for SLE.</p>

The methylation locus and frequency pattern on p16 INK4a gene promoter CpG in epidermis of patients with psoriasis / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the CpG methylation locus and frequency pattern on p16 INK4a gene promoter in epidermis of p16 INK4a methylated patients with psoriasis vulgaris.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The DNA specimens were obtained from epidermal lesion of 50 plaque psoriatic patients. Methylation specific PCR and DNA sequencing were used to detect the frequency and locus of methylation in p16 INK4a gene promoter region.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Approximately 50% CpG was methylated in p16 INK4a methylated patients, methylation was found in specifical locus of p16 INK4a gene promoter.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The distinct methylation pattern is showed on the p16 INK4a gene promoter region in patients with psoriasis.</p>