Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study is to investigate the expression of apolipoprotein E (apoE) and the relationship between apoE and disease activity of SLE, and the possible effects of glucocorticoid on apoE and other cytokines activities in SLE patients.MethodsForty treatment-naïve SLE patients and forty matched healthy controls were studied. All the SLE patients received prednisone 1 mg/kg/day for 28 consecutive days. The sera levels of apoE and related cytokines were evaluated by ELISA. The expression of apoE mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was determined by real-time PCR.ResultsCompared with healthy controls, the relative expression levels of ApoE proteins and sera levels were significantly up-regulated in active SLE patients. ApoE sera concentrations positively correlated with SLEDAI, anti-dsDNA antibody and the related cytokines including IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10, and uncorrelated with the concentration of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in SLE patients. After 4 weeks prednisone treatment, the relative mRNA expression of apoE and the serum levels of apoE and related cytokines decreased.ConclusionsApoE correlated with disease activity and related cytokines in SLE patients. Glucocorticoid can down-regulate the expressions of apoE and related cytokines.Virtual slideThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1646714011077325
Highlights
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem inflammatory and autoimmune disease
We examined the disease activity using SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) [16], antidsDNA antibody, IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10 in SLE to determine whether apolipoprotein E (apoE) is involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, and the possible effects of glucocorticoid on apoE and other cytokines activities in SLE patients
The SLEDAI scores ranged from 11.45 ± 3.76 of pre-treatment to 7.90 ± 4.00 of post-treatment (p < 0.01)
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem inflammatory and autoimmune disease. Apolipoprotein (apo) E is a multifunctional glycoprotein synthesized by the liver and the macrophage. It is implicated in human lipoprotein metabolism and cardio-. Glucocorticoid remains the cornerstone of the treatment of SLE, despite advances in therapeutic protocols and development of new drugs [13]. The effect of glucocorticoid on apoE remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of apolipoprotein E (apoE) and the relationship between apoE and disease activity of SLE, and the possible effects of glucocorticoid on apoE and other cytokines activities in SLE patients
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