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Hai-Feng Pan,
Guo-Cui Wu,
Yin-Guang Fan,
Rui-Xue Leng,
Hui Peng,
Mo Zhou,
Bao-Zhu Li,
Yan Zhu,
Jin-Hui Tao, Xiang-Pei Li,
Dong-Qing Ye
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ABSTRACT: This study aims to investigate the serum IL-21 levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its relations with clinical and laboratory features. Fifty-seven patients with SLE and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited in the current study. Serum IL-21 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 10.01. Results showed that IL-21 levels were significantly decreased in the serum of patients with SLE compared with controls (P = 0.026). There was no significant difference regarding serum IL-21 level between SLE patients with nephritis and those without nephritis (P = 0.066); no significant difference was found between less active SLE and more active SLE (P = 0.588). The presence of anemia was associated with low serum IL-21 levels (P = 0.030) in SLE patients. In summary, decreased serum level of IL-21 and its association with anemia indicate a possible role of IL-21 in human SLE. However, further studies are needed to confirm this preliminary results.
Rheumatology International 03/2013; · 1.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Combination use of methotrexate (MTX) and leflunomide (LEF) has been proved effective in the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, previous trials have documented that both are associated with increased incidence of liver toxicity. As active compounds extracted from the roots of the traditional Chinese herb Paeonia lactiflora Pall, total glucosides of paeony (TGP) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and immuno-regulatory activities, without evident toxicity or side effects. In this 24-week, open label, randomized multicenter clinical trial, we investigated the efficacy of TGP and the protective effect on hepatotoxicity in the combination treatment with LEF and MTX for patients with active RA. A total of 204 patients with active RA (DAS28>3.2) recruited from 3 regional referral centers were enrolled and received MTX and LEF combination therapy (MTX 10mg/week plus LEF 20mg/day) with or without TGP for up to 24weeks by randomization. Hepatotoxicity was defined as an increase of at least 1.5-fold the upper limits of normal (ULN) of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Significantly less frequent hepatotoxicity was observed in patients with TGP than those without (9.5% vs 34.8%, p<0.001) at 12weeks. The proportion of patients whose ALT or AST levels were >1.5 to ≤2 times and >2 to ≤3 times the ULN were lower in TGP group than the control (1.9% vs 10.1%, 2.9% vs 12.4%, p<0.05 respectively). More patients in the TGP group achieved a European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) good response or moderate response at 12weeks, although there is no statistical significance. Similar results were observed at 24weeks. Our preliminary study demonstrates the hepatoprotective and additive role of TGP in combination with MTX and LEF in the treatment of active RA.
International immunopharmacology 02/2013; · 2.21 Impact Factor
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Wanling Yang,
Huayang Tang,
Yan Zhang,
Xianfa Tang,
Jing Zhang,
Liangdan Sun,
Jing Yang,
Yong Cui,
Lu Zhang,
Nattiya Hirankarn, [......],
Irene Oi Lin Ng,
Maria-Mercè Garcia-Barceló,
Stacey S Cherny,
Nan Shen,
Paul Kwong-Hang Tam,
Pak Chung Sham,
Dong-Qing Ye,
Sen Yang,
Xuejun Zhang,
Yu Lung Lau
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ABSTRACT: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototype autoimmune disease with a strong genetic involvement and ethnic differences. Susceptibility genes identified so far only explain a small portion of the genetic heritability of SLE, suggesting that many more loci are yet to be uncovered for this disease. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies on SLE in Chinese Han populations and followed up the findings by replication in four additional Asian cohorts with a total of 5,365 cases and 10,054 corresponding controls. We identified genetic variants in or near CDKN1B, TET3, CD80, DRAM1, and ARID5B as associated with the disease. These findings point to potential roles of cell-cycle regulation, autophagy, and DNA demethylation in SLE pathogenesis. For the region involving TET3 and that involving CDKN1B, multiple independent SNPs were identified, highlighting a phenomenon that might partially explain the missing heritability of complex diseases.
The American Journal of Human Genetics 12/2012; · 10.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To detect the expression of B7-H4 in salivary gland and sera in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS).
A total of 40 pSS patients were referred to our department from June 2009 to January 2011. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry were used to detect the expression of B7-H4 in salivary gland from pSS patients and disease controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect soluble B7-H4 of serum from pSS patients and healthy donors.
Immunohistological staining revealed that B7-H4 antigen was restricted to tubular epithelium. The B7-H4 positive expression of tubules in salivary gland biopsies from pSS patients (18 ± 14)% were lower than that of controls (85 ± 13)% (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry revealed that the B7-H4 expression of cell suspensions from salivary gland from pSS patients (42 ± 21)% were lower than that of controls (48 ± 22)% (P < 0.01). And the serum level of soluble B7-H4 detected in pSS patients (49 ± 31)µg/L significantly decreased than that in healthy donors (71 ± 27) µg/L (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with saliva and tear flow rates (P < 0.01) respectively.
The expression of B7-H4 molecule may play some roles in the progression of pSS. And a further understanding of its mechanism helps to elucidate the pathogenesis of pSS.
Zhonghua yi xue za zhi 10/2012; 92(39):2775-7.
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ABSTRACT: The Fas gene polymorphisms -670A/G (rs1800682) and -1377G/A (rs2234767) have been shown to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but findings are not consistent. To clarify this point, a meta-analysis was performed. We searched PubMed, CNKI, CBM and Wanfang database. Meta-odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were used to combine the data by fixed/random effects models based on heterogeneity test. The statistical analyses were conducted using Stata software. A total of seven studies involving 759 cases and 820 controls were considered in this study and ethnicity-specific meta-analysis was performed on Caucasian and Asian population. In overall population, meta-analysis revealed a trend toward to an association between SLE and Fas -670 A allele (OR = 1.310, 95 %CI = 1.028 ~ 1.670, P = 0.029). Similar results were detected in recessive model (OR = 1.626, 95 %CI = 1.104 ~ 2.395, P = 0.014) and in homozygous genotypic contrast (OR = 1.728, 95 %CI = 1.049 ~ 2.848, P = 0.032). Stratification by ethnicity indicated a significant association between SLE and the Fas -670A/G polymorphism in Asian population when allelic contrast (OR = 1.331, 95 %CI = 1.066 ~ 1.662, P = 0.011), homozygous genotypic contrast (OR = 1.848, 95 %CI = 1.164 ~ 2.932, P = 0.009) and dominant model were performed (OR = 1.542, 95 %CI = 1.045 ~ 2.275, P = 0.029). Meta-analysis of the Fas -1377G/A polymorphism indicated a significant association between SLE and the G allele in overall population (OR = 1.277, 95 %CI = 1.004 ~ 1.624, P = 0.046). The results from this meta-analysis provide evidence for the association between the Fas -670A/G and -1377G/A polymorphism and the risk of SLE. However, further studies are needed to draw a definitive conclusion.
Molecular Biology Reports 10/2012; · 2.93 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Recently, evidence is emerging that inappropriate regulation of type 17 T helper cells (Th17) plays a fundamental role in the development of many autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the role of Th17-related cytokines in SLE remains elusive. To further investigate the role and imbalance of Th17-related cytokines in the pathogenesis of SLE. A Quantitative RT-PCR Array (Human Th17 for Autoimmunity & Inflammation PCR Array) analyses were performed to study Th17-related genes expression in peripheral white blood cells of 25 new-onset patients with SLE and 15 healthy subjects. When gene expression for SLE patients was compared to the mean of normal controls, among the 84 target genes related to Th17 pathway, 7 (CXCL1, ICAM1, IL10, IL5, IL8, ISG20, JAK2,) were upregulated and 6 (CD28, CD40LG, S1PR1, IL17RE, IL23R, RORC) downregulated. However, comparisons of mRNA expression of Th17 related cytokines between lupus nephritis (LN) patients and SLE patients without nephritis (SLE non LN) showed no significant difference. In conclusion, SLE patients and normal controls showed different expression of a few genes in Th17 pathway, indicating that the pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Molecular Biology Reports 10/2012; · 2.93 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), AF4/FMR2 family, member 1 (AFF1) rs340630 and AF4/FMR2 family, member 3 (AFF3) rs10865035, show significant evidence for association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Chinese population. A total of 868 Chinese patients with SLE and 975 geographically and ethnically matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in the current study. The genotypes of these two SNPs were determined by Sequenom MassArray technology. Significant evidence for association of AFF3 rs10865035 with SLE was detected (for A versus G, P = 4.81 × 10(-4), odds ratio (OR) 1.26, 95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) 1.11-1.44). However, no association between AFF1 rs340630 and SLE was found in the Chinese population (for A versus G, P = 0.79, OR 0.98, 95 %CI 0.86-1.12). No significant evidence for association of AFF3 rs10865035 polymorphism with any clinical features was detected. By targeting a variant with convincing evidence for association with rheumatoid arthritis, significant association of AFF3 rs10865035 with SLE was detected in the Chinese population, indicating that AFF3 might be a common autoimmunity gene. Further case-control studies based on larger sample sizes in diverse ethnic populations are required to clarify the role of AFF1 rs340630 in SLE.
Immunogenetics 09/2012; · 2.93 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To explore the clinical features, predictive factors and unfavourable prognostic factors of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in the patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis (PM/DM) so as to provide rationales for early clinical diagnosis and treatment.
The medical records of 244 PM/DM patients from Department of Rheumatology & Immunology of Anhui Medical University Affiliated Provincial Hospital from August 2001 to August 2011 were reviewed to analyze the clinical features, predictive factors and unfavourable prognostic factors of ILD in PM/DM patients.
The major clinical manifestations of PM/DM-ILD included dry cough, chest tightness and shortness of breath during activities and Velcro rale in lower lung. Besides anti-Jo-1 antibody, multivariate unconditional Logistic regression analysis indicated that amyopathic dermatomyositis (ADM), arthralgia/arthritis, fever and Gottron's sign were the predictive factors for the development of ILD in PM/DM patients. ADM and Hamman-Rich-like pattern ILD were the poor prognostic factors while large dose glucocorticoids plus immunosuppressant therapy in the early time was a protective factor for PM/DM-ILD patients.
Some clinical features are the predictive factors for the development of ILD. ADM and Hamman-Rich-like pattern ILD are poor prognostic factors. Large dose glucocorticoids plus immunosuppressant therapy can significantly improve the prognosis of PM/DM patients.
Zhonghua yi xue za zhi 09/2012; 92(33):2335-8.
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ABSTRACT: Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is an IL-10 family cytokine member that was recently discovered to be mainly produced by Th17 cells. Previous studies have indicated the importance of IL-22 in host defense against Gram-negative bacterial organisms (in gut and lung). Recently, there is emerging evidence that IL-22 is involved in the development and pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and psoriasis. Therapeutics targeting IL-22 therefore may have promise for treating various autoimmune diseases. In this review, we discuss the recent progression of the involvement of IL-22 in the development and pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, as well as its clinical implications and therapeutic potential.
Cytokine & growth factor reviews 08/2012; · 6.49 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to investigate the association of serum anti-C1q antibody levels with renal pathological characteristics in SLE patients with lupus nephritis. Fifty-two patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis were enrolled. Serum anti-C1q levels (units per milliliter) were measured before renal biopsy using ELISA kit. A cross-sectional study analyzed the association of anti-C1q antibody levels with SLE global activity, nephritic activity, and renal histopathology. Thirty-nine of 52 patients (75 %) were positive for anti-C1q antibody. Anti-C1q antibody levels were positively correlated with the values for the SLE Disease Activity Index (r = 0.628, p < 0.001), anti-nucleosome (r = 0.591, p < 0.001), and anti-dsDNA antibody (r = 0.507, p < 0.001), but negatively correlated to serum C3 (r = -0.626, p < 0.001) and C4 (r = -0.57, p < 0.001). The prevalence of anti-C1q in patients with proliferative LN (class III + class IV) was higher than those with mesangial LN (class II), but there is no statistical significance. Among different ISN/RPS classification, serum anti-C1q antibody level was highest in patients with class IV, followed by class III. The concentration of anti-C1q in patients with class IV was higher than those in class II [50.00 (23.00, 97.70) vs 20.25 (7.16, 54.78) U/ml, p<0.05]. The levels of anti-C1q antibody were positively correlated with renal active indices (r = 0.59, p < 0.001) while negatively correlated with chronic indices (r = -0.326, p < 0.05). Moreover, anti-C1q antibody was found to be positively associated with glomerular C1q deposition. These findings indicate that serum anti-C1q antibody is a valuable noninvasive biological marker for prediction of renal histopathology in lupus nephritis. Low or negative anti-C1q antibody titers might influence therapeutic decisions in SLE.
Clinical Rheumatology 06/2012; 31(9):1323-9. · 2.00 Impact Factor
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Modern Rheumatology 06/2012; · 1.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease affecting multiple organs/systems with variable activities.
We performed a retrospective study to investigate the relationship of clinical characteristics and complications with SLE
activity in Chinese Han population. A cohort of 1,490 SLE inpatients was evaluated for disease activity using the systemic
lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI). Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare differences
of clinical and laboratory features between active and inactive SLE patients. Logistic regression was chosen to explore the
pattern of risk factors for disease activity. We found that neuropsychiatric involvement, nephritis, arthralgia, anti-dsDNA,
serositis, hypocomplementemia, oral ulcerations, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, low C3, hematological abnormalities, and
systolic pressure (1.010 < odds ratio < 10.568, 1.002 < 95% confidence interval < 31.599, 0.000 < P < 0.026) were major factors associated with disease activity, but not headaches, anti-ribonucleoprotein or anti-Sm, C-reactive
protein, and anemia (P > 0.05, respectively). The involvements of urinary system, respiratory system, and central nervous system were significantly
more frequent in active SLE than inactive SLE (0.000 < P < 0.014), except for alimentary system (P = 0.399). Our study has comprehensively evaluated the relationship of clinical characteristics and organs/systems involvement
of SLE with SLEDAI in Chinese Han population and presented a compendium of factors affecting SLE, which should be useful for
better evaluating disease activity and predicting organs/systems damage in SLE for clinical assessments and managements.
Clinical Rheumatology 04/2012; 28(11):1301-1307. · 2.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the expression of glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) and apoptosis of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(dim/-) T cells of the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),and to analyze its clinical value.
A total of 28 patients with a diagnosis of SLE according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1997 criteria were included in the study. The SLE patients were divided into active group (SLEDAI≥10) and inactive group (SLEDAI<10) according to the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). Active group included 15 patients and inactive group 13 patients. Clinical and laboratory data of the patients with SLE were recorded. In this study 12 normal volunteers without history of autoimmune diseases were also included. Peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(dim/-) T cells were isolated by magnetic beads sorting. We classified them into two subgroups: the blank group and the therapeutic dose group (dexamethasone dose was 5×10(-2) mg/L and the peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(dim/-) T cells with dexamethasone were cultured for 48 hours). The expressions of GITR and Annexin V were analyzed by flow cytometry before and after the culture. The correlations between GITR levels, apoptosis rates of these subsets and the clinic, laboratory parameters of SLE were analyzed.
GITR levels and apoptosis rates in the patients with SLE were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P=0.016; P=0.049). The expression levels of GITR on Treg cells between the blank group and the therapeutic dose group were found be of no significant difference in the patients with SLE (P>0.05), but in the normal group, the expression levels of GITR in the therapeutic dose group were higher than those in the blank group (P=0.034). After adding dexamethasone, the apoptosis rates of Treg cells were decreased in the patients with SLE, the difference was statistically significant (P=0.033); But in the normal control group, the apoptosis rate of Treg cells was higher in the therapeutic dose group than in the blank group (P=0.012). The expression levels of GITR on Treg cells were significantly positively correlated with SLEDAI, but were correlated negatively with the C3.
The GITR is pathologically expressed on Treg cells in SLE, which may be used as an immunological index of SLE disease activity; Glucocorticoids may regulate immune abnormalities in patients with SLE by inhibiting the apoptosis of Treg cells.
Beijing da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Peking University. Health sciences 04/2012; 44(2):215-20.
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the association of anti-Sm antibodies with clinical and serological features in systemic lupus erythematosus.
A group of 1,584 patients with SLE was recruited. Clinical and laboratory data were compared between patients with and without
anti-Sm antibodies. There were 1,424 females and 160 males, the mean age of the patients was 33.2±12.3years, and the mean
duration of disease was 32.5±59.4months. A total of 469 (29.6%) were anti-Sm antibodies positive. The presence of anti-Sm
antibodies was associated with arthritis, renal involvement, malar rash, vasculitis and low serum complement C3. The positive
rate of anti-nuclear, anti-dsDNA, anti-La/SSB and anti-U1RNP antibodies were significant higher in anti-Sm positive group
when compared with anti-Sm negative group. A trend towards a higher presence of anti-Sm antibodies related to an early disease
onset was observed. In conclusion, Anti-Sm antibodies are associated with lupus related clinical and laboratory profiles and
correlated significantly with disease activity.
Rheumatology International 04/2012; 29(11):1323-1326. · 1.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The association of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) gene polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) risk remains controversial and ambiguous. To more precisely estimate the relationship between TLR9 gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to SLE, a meta-analysis was performed. A total of seven independent studies were involved in this analysis. Meta-analysis was performed for three TLR9 gene polymorphisms (rs187084, rs352139, and rs352140). We have compared allele or genotype frequencies of the polymorphisms in SLE patients and controls. When available studies were pooled into the meta-analysis, there was no evidence showing a significant association between rs187084 and SLE risk in an Asian population (for C vs. T: OR = 0.81, P = 0.117; for CC vs. TT: OR = 0.71, P = 0.158; for CT vs. TT: OR = 0.86, P = 0.085; for CC + CT vs. TT: OR = 0.78, P = 0.093; for CC vs. CT + TT: OR = 0.81, P = 0.285). Similar results were found between rs352139 and SLE. No significant association was detected in any genetic model in the Asian population either (for G vs. A: OR = 1.11, P = 0.095; for GG vs. AA: OR = 1.32, P = 0.238; for GA vs. AA: OR = 1.17, P = 0.084; for GG + GA vs. AA: OR = 1.17, P = 0.073; for GG vs. GA + AA: OR = 1.17, P = 0.404). We found no association between TLR9 gene rs352140 polymorphism and SLE in the Asian population (for A vs. G: OR = 1.02, P = 0.728). In conclusion, there is still not enough evidence to indicate an association between TLR9 gene rs187084, rs352139, and rs352140 polymorphisms and the development of SLE in the Asian population.
Modern Rheumatology 01/2012; 22(4):550-6. · 1.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs. Because of double damages of body and mind, SLE patients are in a potential risk of suicide. Many factors may contribute to the occurrence of suicide in SLE: socioeconomic factors, medical factors, mental health, family support and coping style. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation in SLE inpatients in China in order to determine whether they had risk of suicide, and if so, what factors should be paid more attention to prevent suicide in wards. A total of 285 SLE patients were interviewed with questionnaires on suicidal ideation and socio-demographic characteristics, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Family APGAR and Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ). Disease activity was assessed with SLE Disease Activity Index. The other medical information was collected from the patients' medical records. In total, 34.4% of SLE patients had current suicidal ideation. Significant individual risk factors for current suicidal ideation in SLE patients included having religious belief, heavy self-reported financial burdens, long duration of SLE, low level of family functioning and negative coping style. And in the presence of these risk factors, being separated, divorced or widowed, having premorbid suicidal ideation and depression were independent predictors of suicidal ideation. In summary, the rate of suicidal ideation in SLE patients in China is higher than that in other countries. Factors that contribute to risk of suicidal ideation include social and cultural domains and physical and psychological health. Although the association of suicidal ideation to religions and medical factors is still to be investigated, these findings may give some references to suicide prevention efforts for SLE patients in China.
Rheumatology International 07/2011; 32(9):2707-14. · 1.88 Impact Factor
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Journal of Investigative Dermatology 07/2011; 131(12):2495; author reply 2496-7. · 6.31 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease and lupus nephritis (LN) represents a major clinical manifestation. Studies have shown that elevated inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) in SLE. The purpose of the study was to investigate the expression of ICOS on T cells in patients with LN. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to analyze the expression of ICOS on peripheral blood T lymphocytes in LN patients, SLE patients without nephritis, and healthy controls. The expression of ICOS on CD4 + CD45RO + and CD8 + CD4RO + T cells was significantly increased in SLE patients when compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001). In addition, ICOS expression in patients with nephritis was higher than those without nephritis (P < 0.01). Taken together, our results suggest that ICOS co-stimulatory pathway is important in the pathogenesis of LN; blockade of the pathway might represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of LN.
Rheumatology International 04/2011; 32(7):2051-5. · 1.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic systemic autoimmune diseases, which affects multiple organ systems such as kidney. The imbalance of T-helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 cells is critical in the pathogenesis of SLE. The T-cell immunoglobulin mucin (TIM) proteins comprise a family of cell surface molecules expressed on T cells that regulate Th1- and Th2-cell-mediated immunity. Recent work has found increased expression of TIM-1 and TIM-3 ligand (galactin-9) mRNA in SLE patients and implied that TIM proteins might be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. In this study, genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was performed for TIM-1 (rs1501909 and rs12522248) and TIM-3 (rs9313439 and rs10515746) in 202 SLE patients and 217 healthy individuals in a Chinese population. Results showed no significant differences existed between the patients with SLE and the controls as well as SLE patients with nephritis and those without nephritis, in all four SNPs. The findings suggest that the polymorphisms of TIM gene family might not contribute to SLE susceptibility in the Chinese population. However, it should be noted that the statistical power of our study is relatively low, which likely did not have adequate power to detect the actual correlation between the selected SNPs and SLE susceptibility; moreover, we cannot discard a possible association of other variants within the region covering TIM with SLE as a genetic risk factor, with larger samples in different populations.
Mutagenesis 03/2011; 26(4):507-11. · 3.18 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: E26 transformation-specific-1 (Ets-1) belongs to the Ets family of transcription factors which share a common 85-amino-acid DNA-binding domain. Ets-1 is essential to regulation of the immune system including immune cell proliferation and differentiation. Past data demonstrated Ets-1 play a role in negative regulation of Th17 cells and B cells differentiation. Recently, association of genetic variation in Ets-1 with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been independently identified by two Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and decreased Ets-1mRNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients has been reported. All these findings suggest that the transcription factor is broadly linked to the pathogenesis of this disease. However, aberrant control of other immune cells and effector molecules illuminated the complexities of Ets-1 biology. In this review article, we will focus on the dual nature of Ets-1 and discuss its regulatory capability. Hopefully the information obtained will lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis and development of novel therapeutic strategies for SLE.
Autoimmunity reviews 02/2011; 10(8):439-43. · 6.37 Impact Factor
