Expression of interleukin-12 and its signaling molecules in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in systemic lupus erythematosus patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the in vitro expression of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and its effect on signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling molecules in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 39 patients with definite systemic lupus erythematosus and 11 healthy volunteers were collected. Expression of IL-12 P40mRNA in PBMCs was determined with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Quantity of IL-12 protein supernatant was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of phosphorylated STAT3 and STAT4 signaling molecules in PBMCs were detected by immunoblot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Levels of IL-12 protein and mRNA expression in patients with active or inactive SLE were significantly higher than those in controls. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA ) may promote the expression of IL-12. IL-12 alone induced the phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT4 in PBMCs from patients with SLE, especially in active SLE. However it had no obvious effect on normal PBMCs. Phosphorylated STAT3 and STAT4 might be observed in normal PBMCs treated with IL-12 plus PHA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL-12 is produced aberrantly in patients with SLE. IL-12 might exert its biological role in SLE via the aberrantly phosphorylated STAT3 and STAT4 signaling molecules.</p>

IL-12 signaling pathway through Lck/ p38 /c-jun in splenocytes from systemic lupus erythematosus mouse / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

Aim To investigate whether there is IL-12 signaling pathway through lck/P38/c-jun in splenic cells obtained from lupus mouse and its effect on splenic cells. Methods Mice with graft versus host disease were used as lupus nephritis model. Activity of Lck tyrosine kinase, p38 phosphorylation and mRNA expression of c-jun in splenic cells were determined by autoradiography, Western blot and Northern blot, respectively. Results There were higher levels of Lck activity, p38 phosphorylation and c-jun expression of IL-12-stimulated splenic cells from lupus model when compared with that observed in similarly treated splenic cells from normal control. The Lck activity and p38 phosphorylation were almost inhibited by Lck inhibitor PP1, on the other hand, p35 specific inhibitor SB203580 decreased phosphorylation of p38. In addition, expression of c-Jun was also inhibited by PP1 or SB203580 although splenic cells were stimulated with IL-12. Conclusion Aberrant murine splenic cell, IL-12-me-diated intracelluar signaling pathway through lck/p38/c-Jun were involved in immunologic damage.

Regulation of osteopontin expression by its antisense RNA in renal epithelial cells / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the effect of antisense RNA on osteopontin (OPN) expression in renal tubular epithelial cells. METHODS: Cell clone expressing stably OPN antisense RNA was formed by transfering retroviral vector expressing OPN antisense RNA into renal tubular epithelial cells, NRK52E cells, using liposome, with cell clones transfected by empty vector and vector expressing OPN sense RNA as controls. Ribonuclease protection assay(RPA), Western Blot, ELISA and assay of OPN activity were performed to detect expression of OPN mRNA and protein in above clones cultured with or without epidermal growth factor(EGF). RESULTS: The antisense RNA was only expressed by antisense clone. Antisense clone, sense clone and empty clone all expressed OPN mRNA. EGF enhanced expression of OPN mRNA, but not OPN antisense RNA or OPN sense RNA in above clones. OPN protein was not expressed in antisense clone cultured with or without EGF and empty clone cultured without EGF, but was expressed in sense clone cultured with or without EGF and empty clone cultured with EGF. CONCLUSION: Antisense RNA can inhibit OPN protein expression by means of preventing OPN mRNA translation, but not inhibit OPN mRNA transcription in renal tubular epithelial cells.

Hyaluronan synthase-2-specific antisense oligonucleotides inhibit the formation of extracellular coat in human peritoneal mesothclial cells / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To define which hyaluronan synthase (HAS), of three hyaluronan synthesizing enzymes HAS-1, HAS-2, and HAS-3, is primarily responsible for hyaluronan synthesis and extracellular matrix/extracellular coat formation in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) . Methods As a prerequisite study, the expression of each HAS mRNA in cultured HPMCs was measured by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Only the expression of HAS-2 and HAS-3 mRNA could be detected. The level of HAS-2 mRNA expression was about 10 fold higher than that of HAS-3. HAS-2 specific antisense oligonucleotide was then transfected into cultured HPMCs by lipofectamine. After 0, 8, 24, and 48 hours, the expression of HAS-2 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and the extracellular coat was measured by particle exclusion test. Results 8 hours and 24 hours after transfection, the expression of HAS-2 mRNA in HPMCs decreased by 58% and 89% respectively; 48 hours after transfection, the expression of HAS-2 mRNA in HPMCs partially restored to 25% of the normal level. Correspondingly, 24 hours after transfection, the extracellular matrix/extracellular coat in HPMCs almost completely disappeared. However, as control, sense and reverse oligonucleotides showed no effect. Conclusion HAS-2 plays a leading role in HPMCs hyaluronan synthesis and the formation of extracellualr matrix/extracellular coat.