TLR2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Henoeh-Schonlein purpura children and its association with immune response / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Tol-like receptor (TLR) and its signaling pathway play an important role in autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivity, inflammation, apoptosis and transplant rejection; however, its effects on immune pathogenesis of Henoeh-Schonlein purpura in children have not been fuly elucidated. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the TLR2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cels in children with Henoeh-Schonlein purpura and its correlation with immune response. METHODS: Sixty-four children with Henoeh-Schonlein purpura were divided into two groups non-renal damage group (n=36) and renal damage group (n=28). Meanwhile, another 30 healthy children subjected to health examination acted as control group. Flow cytometry and florescent quantitative PCR were employed to detect TLR2 protein and mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cels, respectively. ELISA was used to detect plasma interferon-γ and interleukin-4 levels and transforming growth factor β and interleukin-10 levels secreted from Treg cels. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Levels of interferon-γ and interferon-γ/interleukin-4 in the children with Henoeh-Schonlein purpura were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05), while the level of interleukin-4 was higher than the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of TLR2 protein and mRNA was significantly higher in the Henoeh-Schonlein purpura children than the healthy children (P < 0.05) and significantly higher in the renal damage group than the non-renal damage group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor β were significantly higher in the children with Henoeh- Schonlein purpura (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that Henoeh-Schonlein purpura children have increased levels of TLR2 protein and mRNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cels, and exhibit immune imbalance. TLR2 is involved in the pathogenesis of Henoeh-Schonlein purpura, and transforming growth factor β can be used to evaluate Treg immune response and provide reference for diagnosis, treatment of prognosis of Henoeh-Schonlein purpura children.