IL-21及其受体在银屑病患者外周血和皮损组织中的表达及意义

Expression of IL-21 and IL-21R in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and skin tissue of patients with psoriasis

目的探讨IL-21及其受体在斑块型银屑病患者外周血PBMC和皮损组织中的表达情况及临床意义。方法采用流式细胞仪检测斑块型银屑病58例患者及20例健康对照者外周血PBMC中IL-21、IL-21R的表达;采用实时定量RT-PCR(quantitative real-time,RT-PCR)法检测25例银屑病和15例正常人外周血PBMCs和皮肤组织中IL-21、IL-21R mRNA的表达情况;采用Western印迹法检测皮肤组织中IL-21和IL-21R的表达情况;采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测PBMC培养上清液中IL-21的分泌水平。结果流式细胞仪检测发现银屑病患者PBMC中IL-21和IL-21R占CD4+T细胞的百分率明显增加(P<0.01);Real-time PCR发现IL-21、IL-21R mRNA在银屑病患者的PBMC和皮肤组织中表达均较健康对照者增高(P<0.01,P<0.05);Western印迹法显示IL-21和IL-21R蛋白在银屑病患者的皮损中表达增高(P<0.01);ELISA检测发现培养上清中IL-21分泌水平增加(P<0.01)。结论斑块型银屑病患者PBMC和组织中IL-21和IL-21R的表达水平均较健康对照者升高,IL-21可能参与了银屑病的发病过程,并可能成为一个潜在的治疗靶点。

Objective To investigate the expression of IL-21 and IL-21R in peripheral blood and skin tissues of patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Methods The expression of IL-21 and IL-21R in peripheral blood mononuclear cells（ PBMCs） of 58 patients with psoriasis and 20 healthy controls were detected by flowcytometry. The expression of IL-21 and IL-21R mRNA and protein in PBMCs and skin tissues of 25 psoriasis patients and 15 non-psoriasis patients（ control） was detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting,respectively. The levels of IL-21 in the PBMCs culture supernatant were detected by ELISA. Results The flowcytometry showed that percentages of positive IL-21 and IL-21R CD4~＋T cells was significantly increased in patients with psoriasis. Real-time PCR and Western blotting showed that the expressions of IL-21 and IL-21R mRNA and protein in psoriasis patients were significantly higher in PBMCs and skin tissues than those in controls. ELISA detection showed that the IL-21 secretion level in PBMCs culture supernatant of psoriasis patients was increased. Conclusion Expressions of IL-21 and IL-21R in PBMCs and skin tissues in psoriasis patients are higher than in healthy controls. IL-21 may be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis,and maybe a potential therapeutic target.