Targeting abnormal lipid metabolism of T cells for systemic lupus erythematosus treatment.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. However, the causes of SLE remain unknown. Dyslipidemia is a common symptom observed in SLE patients and animal models and is closely correlated to disease activity.

Clinical analysis of chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with leflunomide and methotrexate combined with different dosages of glucocorticoid.

Objective: To analyze the safety of combined leflunomide (LEF), methotrexate (MTX), and glucocorticoid (GC) therapy, we investigated the adverse effects of such combination therapy in patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Two hundred sixty-six patients with RA who were receiving LEF and MTX therapy were randomly assigned to 3 groups, as follows: group 1 received no GC, group 2 received 7.5 mg prednisone, and group 3 received 15 mg prednisone.

[Evaluating type I interferon-inducible gene expression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.].

Objective: To explore the expression levels of interferon-inducible genes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to validate these gene expressions as potential biomarkers for the differentiation of disease flare and infection.

Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from 48 SLE, 16 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 26 normal controls, and total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed into complementary DNA. Real-time PCR technique was used to determine the gene expressions of MX1, OASL, OAS1, ISG15 and LY6E at transcription level.

[Gene expression of OAZ pathway in the patients of systemic lupus erythematosus].

Objective: To explore the role of Olf/EBF associated zinc finger protein (OAZ) pathway in the RNA expression level in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: The expression levels of OAZ, BMP6, BMP4, Id3, Smad6, EHZF genes were valuated in bone marrow progenitor cells of 5 SLE patients and 5 normal subjects and replicated in peripheral blood cells of 30 SLE patients and 20 normal individuals by using real-time quantitative PCR technique. Relationships of the expression levels of OAZ, BMP6, BMP4, Id3 mRNA with disease activity and other clinical indices were analyzed.

Abnormal surface markers expression on bone marrow CD34+ cells and correlation with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Defects of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have been suggested to contribute to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to investigate the phenotypic characteristics of bone marrow (BM) CD34(+) cells in patients with SLE and its relationship with SLE disease activity. Ten SLE patients and 10 healthy subjects were recruited and their BM CD34(+) cells were analyzed by flow cytometric analysis with CD45/SSC gating for the expression of CD90, CD95, CD117, CD123, CD164, CD166, FAS-L, and HLA-DR.

[Variations within OLF1/EBF-associated zinc finger protein gene confer susceptibility to lupus nephritis in Chinese population].

Objective: To observe whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the OLF1/EBF-associated zinc finger protein (OAZ) gene are associated with lupus nephritis (LN) susceptibility in Chinese population.

Methods: Eight SNPs located around the positive microsatellite marker D16S517 within OAZ gene with relatively high heterozygosity were chosen for genotyping on 184 systemic lupus erythromatosus (SLE) patients, including 101 non-LN patients and 83 LN patients, and 286 normal controls using TaqMan MGB allelic discrimination method. Data were collected by SDS 2.

Lymphocyte apoptosis and macrophage function: correlation with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Increased lymphocyte apoptosis and defects in macrophage removal of apoptotic cells have been suggested to contribute to the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between peripheral lymphocyte apoptosis, macrophage function as determined by the serum levels of neopterin and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and SLE disease activity. Peripheral apoptotic lymphocytes (AL) were detected by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) staining and flow cytometry.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of deoxyribonuclease I and their expression in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that interrupted clearance of nuclear DNA-protein complexes after cell death might initiate and propagate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Deoxyribonuclease I (DNaseI) may be responsible for the removal of DNA from nuclear antigens at sites of high cell turnover, thus preventing the onset of SLE. The purpose of this study was to genotype the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of DNase1 and characterize its gene expression and alternatively spliced transcripts in Chinese patients with SLE in order to understand the pathogenic role of DNase1 in human SLE.

[OAZ gene polymorphism in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

Objective: To observe the association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and gene polymorphisms of OLF-1/EBF associated zinc finger protein(OAZ).

Methods: Verified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with relatively high heterozygosity were chosen for allelic discrimination in 244 Chinese SLE pedigrees. Then transmissions of single SNP, and haplotypes were calculated by Genehunter software.

[Deoxyribonuclease I gene expression in systemic lupus erythematosus patients].

Objective: To observe whether deoxyribonuclease I (DNASE1) gene expression and its DNASE1 mRNA expression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and its alternatively spliced transcripts were performed by capillary electrophoresis. An analysis was also made to disclose whether specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) haplotype had effects onDNASE1 gene expression and its alternatively spliced transcripts.

Results: DNASE1 gene expression was higher in SLE patients than in normal controls (P<0.

[Susceptibility gene of systemic lupus erythematosus in 16q12 in Chinese cohort].

Objective: To localize susceptibility loci in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cohort by linkage disequilibrium mapping the genomic interval in human chromosome 16 so as to understand whether the pathogenesis of human SLE is related to chromosome 16.

Methods: Five microsatellite markers in chromosome 16 spanning from 57.79 cM to 65.