哮喘豚鼠IFN-γ／IL-4失衡与IgE水平相关性研究

采用ELISA法、放免法和化学发光法分别观察哮喘豚鼠血清及肺组织匀浆中IFN-γ,IL-4,IgE的含量变化,以及IFN-γ/IL-4与IgE的相关性在哮喘发病机制中的关系和作用。结果表明:哮喘组血清及肺组织一浆中IL-4,IgE含量明显高于对照组(P<0.01),IFN-γ水平明显低于对照组(血清P<0.01;肺组织 P<0.05)。直线相关分析结果表明:IFN-γ,IL-4和IFN-γ/IL-4与IgE呈显著相关性,其中IFN-γ/IL-4与IgE呈显著负相关(血清中 P<0.05;肺组织匀浆中 P<0.01),提示IFN-γ/IL-4的失衡及IgE水平升高在哮喘发病中可能发挥重要作用。     

慢性丙型肝炎患者治疗前后血清中IL-18、IFN-γ及IL-4的表达及意义

目的:研究慢性丙型肝炎患者治疗前后血清中白介素-18(IL-18)、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)及白介素-4(IL-4)的表达情况,探讨IL-18、IFN-γ在及IL-4在慢性丙型肝炎发病中的作用及可能临床意义。方法:酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测20例正常人,42例慢性丙型肝炎患者治疗前后血清中IL-18、IFN-γ在及IL-4水平。结果慢性丙型肝炎患者血清IL-18表达高于健康对照组(380.3±27.2pg/mlvs104.1±10.9pg/ml,P<0.05),血清IFN-γ表达也高于健康对照组(3.2±0.4IU/mlvs1.2±0.2IU/ml,P<0.05),而慢性丙型肝炎患者与健康对照组间IL-4表达无统计学差异(23.8±2.7pg/mlvs23.5±2.9pg/ml,P>0.05)。慢性丙型肝炎患者血清IL-18表达与谷丙转氨酶具有正相关性(r1=0.701,P<0.05);IFN-γ表达与谷丙转氨酶均具有正相关性(r2=0.629,P<0.05)。治疗前慢性丙型肝炎患者应对组血清中IL-18及IFN-γ表达高于无应答组(380.3±27.2pg/mlvs280.1±19.8pg/ml,P<...     

TH17细胞相关细胞因子IL-17和IL-23在系统性红斑狼疮中的表达及其意义

目的:探究SLE的发病机制,通过测定SLE患者及正常人外周血浆中的IL-17以及IL-23的表达水平,研究SLE患者体内的IL-17以及IL-23水平是否异常,并探讨其在SLE疾病中的作用.通过研究有望为SLE患者的治疗在细胞因子方面提供方向.方法:SLE组33例;健康对照组20例.采用酶联免疫吸附试验测定血浆中IL-17、IL-23的水平,收集整理SLE患者的临床资料及实验室数据.按照SLE患者疾病活动度、有无狼疮肾炎和抗ds-DNA阳性与否以及补体水平进行分组.结果:活动期SLE患者血浆中的IL-17以及IL-23水平明显高于对照组(P＜0.01),与SLE非活动组相比,也有明显差异,其具有统计学意义(P＜0.01),但非活动组与正常对照组间无统计学意义.狼疮肾炎组和非狼疮肾炎组患者血浆中的IL-17和IL-23水平均高于正常对照组(P＜0.01),但IL-17和IL-23的水平在肾炎组和非肾炎组间无明显统计学差异.抗ds-DNA抗体阳性组与阴性组间IL-17和IL-23水平也无明显统计学差异.补体C3、C4水平高值组与正常组间IL-17和IL-23水平也无明显统计学差异.结论:IL-17和IL-23表达水平在SLE患者活动期血浆中表达有明显增高,提示IL-17和IL-23可能参与了SLE疾病的发生发展过程,可能与疾病的活动度有密切的关系.是否有肾脏损害以及抗ds-DNA抗体阳性与否、补体水平的高低与否可能对SLE患者血浆中IL-17和IL-23的表达水平影响较小.通过此研究我们可以在SLE的细胞因子治疗方面有进一步突破,进一步明确SLE的发病机制,为SLE患者带来更大的福音.     

吸烟对下呼吸道诱导痰中 IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-5表达的影响

目的探究吸烟对下呼吸道诱导痰中干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素-4(IL-4)和白细胞介素-5(IL-5)表达的影响。方法采用酶联免疫吸附法检测2016年3月-2017年3月沈阳医学院附属第二医院收治的下呼吸道感染患者88例(其中吸烟者44例作为观察组,非吸烟者44例作为对照组)、健康体检者76例(其中吸烟者34例作为观察组,非吸烟者42例作为对照组)诱导痰中IFN-γ、IL-4和IL-5的表达,并对结果进行数据分析。结果 (1)健康体检者中吸烟者与非吸烟者相比,吸烟者IL-4、IL-5水平显著上升,IFN-γ水平显著下降(P0.05);(2)下呼吸道感染患者中吸烟者与非吸烟者相比,吸烟者IL-4、IL-5水平显著上升,INF-γ水平显著下降(P0.05)。结论吸烟与下呼吸道诱导痰中IL-4、IL-5和IFN-γ的水平有关,吸烟可使下呼吸道诱导痰中IL-4、IL-5水平升高而IFN-γ的水平下降。     

小青龙汤、射干麻黄汤及其合方并用对大鼠哮喘模型血清IL-4/INF-γ影响的实验研究

目的:观察小青龙汤、射干麻黄汤及其合方并用对大鼠哮喘模型血清IL-4/INF-γ的影响。方法:将健康雄性SD大鼠共90只,随机分为6组。每组15只,采用卵蛋白致敏及激发的方法制作大鼠哮喘模型。用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测各组大鼠血清中IFN-γ和IL-4的浓度。结果:哮喘模型对照组血清中IFN-γ的含量明显低于正常对照组(P<0.05),而血清IL-4的含量明显高于前者(P<0.05),存在着严重的IFN-γ/IL-4比例的失衡;与哮喘模型对照组相比较,各药物治疗组均可不同程度的上调IFN-γ并下调血清IL-4的水平;这其中尤以合方并用组的作用最为显著。结论:小青龙汤及射干麻黄汤对哮喘动物模型的免疫失衡均有调节作用,二者合用其调节作用更为显著。     

人乳头瘤病毒16型E5与IL-12联合基因疫苗的免疫活性

为了研制人乳头瘤病毒16型(HPV16)防治性疫苗,分析了HPV16 E5与IL-12联合基因疫苗的免疫活性。将构建的pcDNA3.1(+)/E5与pcDNA3.1(+)/IL-12联合免疫BALB/c小鼠,以ELISA测定小鼠血清中抗HPV16 E5 IgG水平、小鼠脾细胞培养上清中IFN-γ和IL-4含量;MTT法检测脾淋巴细胞增殖反应。结果显示末次免疫后,联合基因疫苗组和单基因疫苗组血清IgG A450值分别明显高于pcDNA3.1(+)组、pcDNA3.1(+)/IL-12组和PBS组(P<0.01);且联合基因疫苗组显著高于单基因疫苗组(P<0.01)。联合基因疫苗组和单基因疫苗组的IFN-γ和IL-4含量分别均明显高于pcDNA3.1(+)组、pcDNA3.1(+)/IL-12组和PBS组IFN-γ和IL-4含量(P<0.01),且联合基因疫苗组含量显著高于单基因疫苗组(P<0.01)。联合基因疫苗组和单基因疫苗组脾淋巴细胞刺激指数(SI)分别显著高于pcDNA3.1(+)组、pcDNA3.1(+)/IL-12组和PBS组(P<0.01);联合基因疫苗组与单基因疫苗组比较,SI差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结果表明HPV16 E5单基因疫苗以及与IL-12联合基因疫苗均能刺激机体产生较强的免疫应答,且联合基因疫苗优于单基因疫苗。     

高体重指数支气管哮喘患者血清中IL-8、IL-10及INF-γ的研究及意义

目的:探讨高体重指数支气管哮喘患者血清中IL-8、IL-10及INF-γ的变化及临床意义。方法:选择高体重指数支气管哮喘患者(36例)、正常体重指数支气管哮喘患者(32例)以及健康人(32例),采用双抗体夹心ELISA法检测其急性发作期和缓解期血清中IL-8、IL-10和INF-γ的水平。结果:①高体重指数支气管哮喘组与正常体重指数支气管哮喘组急性发作期血清中IL-8水平显著高于缓解期以及对照组的水平(P<0.05)。②在缓解期,高体重指数支气管哮喘组血清中IL-8水平仍高于正常体重指数支气管哮喘组和对照组的水平(P<0.05)。③在急性发作期,高体重指数支气管哮喘组和正常体重指数支气管哮喘组血清中IL-10水平均显著低于其在缓解期及对照组的水平(P<0.05)。④三组间血清INF-γ水平在急性期与缓解期均无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论:血清中IL-8是高体重指数支气管哮喘患者发病过程中的重要炎症因子,并且始终参与其中。IL-10可能是支气管哮喘的抑炎因子,其缺乏可能是导致哮喘患者急性发作的因素之一。     

肾康注射液联合贝那普利对慢性肾小球肾炎患者外周血IFN-γ，IL-4及IL-17水平的影响

目的:探讨肾康注射液联合贝那普利治疗慢性肾小球肾炎的临床效果及对患者外周血干扰素-γ(INF-γ)、白介素-4(IL-4)、白介素-17(IL-17)水平的影响。方法:选择2013年5月至2016年5月我院接诊的96例慢性肾小球肾炎患者,随机法分为观察组(n=48)和对照组(n=48)。对照组患者采用贝那普利治疗,观察组患者在对照组基础上采用肾康注射液治疗。观察并比较两组患者治疗前后收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、尿素氮(BUN)、尿肌酐(UCr)、血肌酐(SCr)、24 h尿蛋白定量及血清INF-γ,IL-17和IL-4水平,以及临床疗效。结果:治疗后,观察组患者收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)低于对照组(P0.05);观察组患者尿素氮(BUN)、尿肌酐(UCr)、血肌酐(SCr)、24 h尿蛋白定量低于对照组(P0.05);观察组患者血清INF-γ及IL-17水平低于对照组,而IL-4水平高于对照组(P0.05);观察组临床总有效率高于对照组(P0.05);两组患者不良反应总发生率无显著差异(P0.05)。结论:在慢性肾小球肾炎使用肾康注射液联合贝那普利效果显著,值得应用推广。     

三氧化二砷对MRL/Ipr狼疮鼠IFN-γ、IL-4表达和Th1/Th2平衡的影响

探讨三氧化二砷(ATO)对MRL/Ipr狼疮鼠IFN-γ、IL-4表达和Th1/Th2平衡的影响.将发病早期和晚期的MRL/Ipr狼疮鼠分别接受ATO、环磷酰胺(CTX)和生理盐水(NS)治疗2个月,然后用ELISA法测血清中IFN-γ、IL-4的浓度和抗ds-DNA抗体水平及四色流式细胞术测脾脏CD3 (T)细胞、CD3 CD4 (Th)细胞、CD3 CD4 IFN-γ IL-4-(Th1)细胞和CD3 CD4 IL-4 IFN-γ(Th2)细胞的百分率,从而研究ATO对MRL/lpr狼疮鼠IFN-γ、IL-4表达和Th1/Th2平衡的影响.发现给药后,3、5月龄ATO组MRL/lpr狼疮鼠血清抗ds-DNA抗体水平明显下降(P<0.05),其血清IFN-γ和IL-4浓度、Th1、Th2和CD3 细胞百分率均低于相应月龄的NS组(P<0.05),且NS组中5月龄组Th1/Th2值较3月龄组显著升高(P=0.003),而在ATO组中差异无统计学意义(P=0.187).因此,研究显示ATO能显著降低发病早期和发病晚期的MRL/lpr狼疮鼠血清抗ds-DNA抗体的水平,可抑制T细胞和Th细胞增生和活化功能,降低IFN-γ和IL-4的血清水平和细胞诱生水平,并在一定程度上逆转发病晚期的MRL/lpr狼疮鼠的Th1偏移.     

环磷酰胺联合人免疫球蛋白治疗SLE 的临床疗效及对血清IL-4 及MCP-4 水平的影响

目的:探讨环磷酰胺联合人免疫球蛋白治疗系统性红斑狼疮的临床疗效及对血清白细胞介素-4(IL-4)及单核细胞趋化蛋白4(MCP-4)水平的影响。方法:选取我院2013年1月到2014年5月收治的76例系统性红斑狼疮患者进行研究,随机分为观察组和对照组各38例。对照组使用环磷酰胺联合强的松的治疗,观察组采用人免疫球蛋白、环磷酰胺及强的松联合治疗,应用系统性红斑狼疮疾病活动度评分(SLEDAI)评价疾病程度,记录治疗前后两组24h尿蛋白、血清IL-4及MCP-4水平,并观察不良反应发生率。结果:治疗后两组SLEDAI评分、24h尿蛋白及血清IL-4及MCP-4水平较治疗前均显著降低(P0.05),且观察组均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。观察组不良反应发生率显著低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:环磷酰胺联合人免疫球蛋白治疗系统性红斑狼疮的效果显著,有效降低了患者血清IL-4及MCP-4的水平,对患者的预后有积极的影响。     

Direct correlation between Th1 and Th17 responses in immunity to Brucella infection

Th1 cells play a central role in immunity to brucellosis, while the exact role of Th17 cells has remained unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the peripheral distributions of Th1 and Th17 cells and serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-17A and IL-22 cytokines in brucellosis patients. One hundred patients (36 acute, 41 under-treatment and 23 relapsed) and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. The frequencies of Th1 and Th17 cells were determined by flow cytometric analysis. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-17A and IL-22 were measured by multi-analyte flow assay. Increased frequencies of Th1 and Th17 cells were observed in acute and relapsed brucellosis versus under-treatment patients and healthy controls (P < 0.05). The mean serum levels of IFN-γ were significantly elevated in acute and relapsed groups compared to under-treatment patients (P = 0.002 and P = 0.01 respectively). Acute patients showed higher levels of IL-22 than under-treatment (P = 0.008). Direct correlations were found between increased frequencies of Th1 and Th17 cells in acute and relapsed patients (P = 0.007 and P = 0.001 respectively) and between IL-17A and IL-22 in both groups of patients. Our findings indicate a cooperative role for Th1 and Th17 cells in immunity to brucellosis which is more evident during acute and relapse phases of brucellosis.     

HMGB1 mediates IFN-γ-induced cell proliferation in MMC cells through regulation of cyclin D1/CDK4/p16 pathway

Previous studies have revealed the elevated serum levels of High-mobility group box-1(HMGB1) and the interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced proliferation of renal mesangial cells in patients or experimental animals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, it is still not elucidated whether HMGB1 involves in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN) and mediates IFN-γ-induced mesangial cell proliferation. Therefore, in the present study we demonstrated HMGB1 mRNA and protein levels were increased in the glomeruli of LN patients and BXSB mice. HMGB1 increased the proliferation index of mouse mesangial cells (MMC) that was accompanied with the up-regulation of cyclin D1, CDK4 and the down-regulation of p16, subsequently promoting the transition from the G0/G1 to S stage. Inhibition of HMGB1 by a specific short hairpin RNA vector prevented cyclin D1/CDK4/p16 up-regulation and attenuated IFN-γ-induced MMC cell proliferation and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA) expression. These findings indicate that HMGB1 mediates IFN-γ-induced cell proliferation in MMC cells through regulation of cyclin D1/CDK4/p16 pathway and promoting the cell cycle transition from G1 to S stage.     

In vivo study: Th1–Th17 reduction in pristane-induced systemic lupus erythematosus mice after treatment with tolerogenic Lactobacillus probiotics

Uncontrolled inflammation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) could cause dysfunction in multiple organs. T helper 17 (Th17) cells are a main branch of inflammatory responses in the pathogenesis of SLE, and by producing interleukin 17 (IL-17), represent a major functional tool in the progression of inflammation. Animal models provide a special field for better studies of the pathogenesis of diseases. Tolergenic probiotics could decrease inflammation in autoimmune diseases by modulating the immune system and maintaining homeostasis. The aim of this project was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii on Th17 cells and their related mediators in a pristane-induced BALB/c mice model of SLE. The mice were divided into pretreatment groups, which received probiotics or prednisolone at Day 0, and treatment groups, which received probiotics and prednisolone 2 months after injection. The presence of antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), and anti-ribonucleoprotein (anti-RNP) and lipogranuloma was evaluated; also, the population of Th1–Th17 cells as well as interferon γ (IFN-γ), IL-17, and IL-10 levels, and the expression of RAR-related orphan related receptor gamma (RORγt) and IL-17 were determined. We observed that probiotics and prednisolone could delay SLE in pretreatment and treatment mice groups, with a reduction in ANA, anti-dsDNA, anti-RNP, and mass of lipogranuloma. Probiotics and prednisolone decreased the population of Th1–Th17 cells and reduced IFN-γ and IL-17 as inflammatory cytokines in the pretreatment and treatment groups in comparison with SLE-induced mice. Our results indicated that, due to their anti-inflammatory properties and reduction of Th17, Th1, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) cells, the use of these probiotics could probably represent a new tool for the better management of SLE.     

双歧杆菌对过敏性哮喘儿童树突状细胞分泌IL-10、IL-12等细胞因子的影响

目的探讨双歧杆菌对过敏性哮喘儿童外周血单核细胞（PBMC）来源的树突状细胞（DC）分泌IL-1β、IL-6、IL-10、IL-12、IL-23和IFN-γ的影响。方法从15例过敏性哮喘儿童和15例非哮喘儿童的外周血单个核细胞诱导生成未成熟DC,加入双歧杆菌后继续培养DC2d,用ELISA方法检测培养上清中IL-1β、IL-6、IL-10、IL-12、IL-23和IFN-γ的水平。结果双歧杆菌能明显刺激哮喘儿童DC分泌IL-12、IFN-γ,IL-1β及IL-6和非哮喘儿童DC分泌IL-12、IL-10、IL-1β及IL-23水平增高。结论双歧杆菌能够刺激过敏性哮喘儿童DC分泌IL-12和IFN-γ,可能改变Th2优势分化,纠正Th1／Th2失衡。同时双歧杆菌还能刺激哮喘儿童DC分泌IL-1p及IL-6增高,达到促进,Th17细胞分化的作用。     

T helper cells subtypes and their cytokine gene expression affected by carvacrol in sensitized mice administered during sensitization period

Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells and their cytokine gene expressions in splenocytes of control mice, ovalbumin sensitized (S), and S treated with dexamethasone and carvacrol during a sensitization period were examined. Th2 and Th17 population as well as the gene expression of IL-4, IL-17, and TGF-β were increased, but Th1, Th1/Th2 ratio, the gene expression of IFN-γ and FOXP3 as well as the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio were decreased in S compared with control group ( P < 0.001 for all cases). Carvacrol treatment caused significant reduction of Th2 and Th17 population as well as gene expression of IL-4, IL-17, and TGF-β but increase in Treg cells, Th1/Th2 ratio, gene expressions of FOXP3, IFN-γ, and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio ( P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). The population of Th1, Th2, Th17 cells as well as the gene expression of IL-4, IL-17, and TGF-β were significantly decreased, but only Treg was increased in the dexamethasone treatment group ( P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Carvacrol treatment during the sensitization period showed a more specific effect on Th1/Th2 imbalance in sensitized mice than dexamethasone, which may indicate the therapeutic potentials of carvacrol in disorders associated with Th1/Th2 imbalance such as asthma.     

妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症患者外周血中维生素D受体 与Th1/Th2 型细胞因子的变化

目的:研究妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症患者外周血中维生素D受体的表达与Th1/Th2型细胞因子干扰素-γ/白细胞介素-4(IFN-γ/IL-4)的变化关系,探讨ICP发病机制。方法:选取ICP患者31例(ICP组),孕周相匹配的正常孕妇31例(正常对照组)。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA法),检测两组孕妇血清中Th1型细胞因子(IFN-γ)和Th2型细胞因子(IL-4)的水平;采用实时荧光定量逆转录-多聚酶链反应(qRT-PCR),检测两组孕妇外周血单个核细胞维生素D受体(VDR)mRNA的表达水平,采用3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶(GAPDH)为内参,根据相对定量公式:2-△△CT分析VDR mRNA的表达水平。结果:(1)ICP组外周血清中IFN-γ的浓度[(230.93±36.04)pg/ml]明显高于正常对照组[(138.37±25.08)pg/ml],差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。ICP组血清中IL-4浓度[(9.99±3.19)pg/ml]和正常对照组[(8.58±2.43)pg/ml]比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。ICP组IFN-γ/IL-4比值(24.56±6.91)高于正常对照组(17.13±4.84),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(2)ICP组外周血单个核细胞维生素D受体mRNA的表达明显低于正常对照组(P<0.01),正常对照组VDR的表达定义为1.0,ICP组的表达量为0.4。(3)ICP组外周血中VDR的表达水平与IFN-γ浓度呈明显负相关(r=-0.833,P<0.01),与IL-4浓度无明显相关(r=-0.109,P>0.05),与IFN-γ/IL-4比值呈负相关,但相关性不强(r=-0.356,P=0.049<0.05)。结论:ICP患者外周血Th1/Th2型细胞因子平衡由Th2向Th1偏移,可能与ICP孕妇外周血单个核细胞VDR的表达减少有关。     

Enhanced CCL26 production by IL-4 through IFN-gamma-induced upregulation of type 1 IL-4 receptor in keratinocytes

A Th2 cytokine, IL-4, induces various chemokines from epidermal keratinocytes which play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis. In contrast, the role of IFN-γ, a Th1 cytokine, on eosinophilic skin inflammation is unclear. This study investigated the effects of IFN-γ on IL-4-induced production of eotaxin-3/CCL26, a potent chemoattractant to eosinophils, in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). When the cells were stimulated with IL-4 and IFN-γ simultaneously, IL-4-induced CCL26 production was attenuated. In contrast, prior stimulation with IFN-γ enhanced IL-4-induced CCL26 production. NHEK constitutively expressed type 1 IL-4 receptor, and expression at the cell surface was upregulated by stimulation with IFN-γ. This upregulation resulted in an enhanced IL-4-mediated cellular signal. These results indicate that IFN-γ has opposite effects on IL-4-induced CCL26 production in NHEK depending on the time of exposure. Thus, changes in IL-4R expression by IFN-γ might modulate eosinophilic skin inflammation.     

Urine levels of HMGB1 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients with and without renal manifestations

Introduction

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe and frequent manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated but immune complexes are considered to contribute to the inflammatory pathology in LN. High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear non-histone protein which is secreted from different types of cells during activation and/or cell death and may act as a pro-inflammatory mediator, alone or as part of DNA-containing immune complexes in SLE. Urinary excretion of HMGB1 might reflect renal inflammatory injury. To assess whether urinary HMGB1 reflects renal inflammation we determined serum levels of HMGB1 simultaneously with its urinary levels in SLE patients with and without LN in comparison to healthy controls (HC). We also analyzed urinary HMGB1 levels in relation with clinical and serological disease activity.

Methods

The study population consisted of 69 SLE patients and 17 HC. Twenty-one patients had biopsy proven active LN, 15 patients had a history of LN without current activity, and 33 patients had non-renal SLE. Serum and urine levels of HMGB1 were both measured by western blotting. Clinical and serological parameters were assessed according to routine procedures. In 17 patients with active LN a parallel analysis was performed on the expression of HMGB1 in renal biopsies.

Results

Serum and urinary levels of HMGB1 were significantly increased in patients with active LN compared to patients without active LN and HC. Similarly, renal tissue of active LN patients showed strong expression of HMGB1 at cytoplasmic and extracellular sites suggesting active release of HMGB1. Serum and urinary levels in patients without active LN were also significantly higher compared to HC. Urinary HMGB1 levels correlated with SLEDAI, and showed a negative correlation with complement C3 and C4.

Conclusion

Levels of HMGB1 in urine of SLE patients, in particular in those with active LN, are increased and correlate with SLEDAI scores. Renal tissue of LN patients shows increased release of nuclear HMGB1 compared to control renal tissue. HMGB1, although at lower levels, is, however, also present in the urine of patients without active LN. These data suggest that urinary HMGB1 might reflect both local renal inflammation as well as systemic inflammation.