白细胞介素-23和白细胞介素-12亚单位在系统性红斑狼疮中的表达研究

Quantitative expression of interleukin-23 and interleukin-12 subunits in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

目的研究自身免疫性疾病系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)中白细胞介素(IL)-23和IL-12的调节作用。方法78例SLE患者[以SLE疾病活动评分(SLEDAI)进行活动性评分]和正常对照36名,分别抽提SLE患者和正常对照外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)的mRNA,并反转录成cDNA,用实时定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)的方法对IL-23特异的亚单位P19、IL-12特异的亚单位P35以及它们共有的亚单位P40作定量分析,数据采用看家基因进行标化。结果未经治疗、已经治疗的SLE患者的IL-12特异性的亚单位P35表达水平显著低于正常对照(P值分别<0.05,<0.01)。与未经治疗相比,用类固醇激素或类固醇类激素加免疫抑制剂治疗的SLE患者显著抑制P40和P19的表达(P值分别<0.01和<0.05)。活动性SLE患者(SLEDAI>10)的P19、P40、P35表达水平显著高于非活动性SLE患者(SLEDAI≤10)(P值分别<0.01,<0.01和<0.05)。结论IL-12的表达下降或IL-23的表达上调也许参与SLE的发病过程,这两种细胞因子有可能是SLE患者的治疗靶点。

Objective To investigate the gene expression of interleukin （IL）-12 and IL-23 in systemic lupus erythernatosus （SLE） patients. Methods mRNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMC） were obtained from 36 healthy subjects and 78 SLE patients and their cDNA were synthesized. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine IL-12 specific subunit P35, IL-23 specific subunit P19 and their common subunit P40. Results The expression of IL-12 specific subunit P35 in untreated and treated SLE patients were significandy lower vs healthy controls （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. Compared with untreated SLE patients, SLE patients treated with steroids or steroids plus immunosuppressor significantly suppressed P40 and P19 expression （P〈0.01, P〈 0.05）. The expression levels of P19, P40 and P35 were significantly higher in active SLE patients （SLEDAI〉10） vs inactive SLE patients （SLEDAI≤ 10） （P〈0.01, P〈0.01 and 〈0.05）. Conclusion These results suggest that down-regulation of IL-12 and possibly up-regulation of IL-23 may contribute to SLE pathogenesis and both cytokines can be therapeutic targets of SLE.