Akt pathway and its regulatory mechanism in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Objective To explore the expression of Akt in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its regulatory role on its downstream molecules forkhead box transcription factor O1 (FOXO1) and Bim in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The role of Akt/FOXO1/Bim signaling pathway on PBMCs apoptosis was clarified. Methods Sixty-three SLE patients and 23 healthy controls were enrolled. PBMC were separated from the peripheral blood specimen. Western blot technique was applied to analyze the expression of Akt, FOXO1 and Bim. Flow cytometry was applied to analyze PBMCs apoptosis. The t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results The apoptosis of PBMCs in patients with active SLE [(16.3±4.0)%] was significantly higher than that of patients with inactive SLE [(5.6±2.9)%] and normal controls [(5.2±4.2)%, t=4.83, 5.05; P 0.05). Conclusion ① The results of this studysuggest that the expression level of Akt may be a good indicator for disease activity of SLE. Decrease of Akt may promote the occurrence and development of SLE. ② Akt activity decline may lead to increased apoptosis of PBMCs. In this process, Akt may regulate its downstream FOXO1 and Bim phosphorylation levels which can enhance their ability to pro-apoptotic. Key words: Lupus erythematosus, systemic; Akt; Peripheral blood mononuclear cell; Apoptosis