RESUMO
It has recently been found that excessive serum B-cell activating factor (BAFF) production triggers severe autoimmune disorders in mice resembling systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Whether such dysregulation in circulating levels of BAFF results from overexpression of BAFF gene in clinical patients with SLE is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the expression of BAFF and SLE. Here, circulating levels of BAFF were measured in 59 Chinese patients with SLE using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, we have quantified the specific mRNA levels of BAFF in unstimulated peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum samples of all SLE patients were also assayed for quantitative immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) and anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody levels, and compared with samples from 40 healthy control subjects. Serum BAFF levels in all SLE patients were significantly elevated (P<0.001) and correlated with the levels of IgG and the titers of anti-dsDNA antibody (r=0.442, r=0.85, P<0.00). More importantly, 66% (39/59) of these SLE patients had significantly higher levels of blood BAFF mRNA, closely paralleling with serum BAFF levels (r=0.652, P<0.001). Dysregulation of BAFF is relatively common in Chinese patients with SLE. Excessive serum BAFF production may result from overexpression of the BAFF gene. BAFF also plays an important role in activating specific autoreactive B cells and modulating the production of autoantibodies.
Assuntos
Fator Ativador de Células B/sangue , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/sangue , Adulto , Anticorpos Antinucleares/sangue , Povo Asiático , Fator Ativador de Células B/genética , DNA/imunologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Imunoglobulinas/sangue , Leucócitos Mononucleares/química , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/genética , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , RNA Mensageiro/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase ReversaRESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relativity between La protein and the stability of HBV mRNA and the expression of HBV protein.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four specific siRNAs were obtained by transcription in vitro. After transfection with the siRNAs into HepG2.2.15 cells for 3 days, the inhibitive effects of La protein were analyzed by Western blot; the content changes of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV-DNA were detected by ECL and RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In comparison to normal cells, La protein was less in the cells. There was less La protein in the cells trans-infected with siRNAs. HBsAg, the HBeAg and HBV-DNA secreted by the cells transfected with siRNA were also less than that in the normal cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is a correlation between La protein and HBV mRNA and the expression of HBV protein.</p>
