Elevated plasma level of HMGB1 is associated with disease activity and combined alterations with IFN-α and TNF-α in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Recent studies indicate that high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) contributes to the pathogenesis of diverse autoimmune disorders. It induces the production of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in vitro. In the present study, plasma HMGB1, TNF-alpha, and IFN-alpha were determined with ELISA in 37 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 39 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). The possible associations of these cytokines with disease activities, autoantibodies, and certain laboratory parameters were also explored. The plasma levels of HMGB1, TNF-alpha, and IFN-alpha were increased in SLE patients compared with those of HC (P < 0.05). Moreover, the levels of HMGB1 and TNF-alpha in the active SLE patients were elevated compared with those in inactive patients and HC. Additionally, plasma HMGB1 was positively correlated with peripheral neutrophils, and plasma TNF-alpha was positively correlated with anti-Sm, ESR and CRP, while plasma IFN-alpha was inversely correlated with the age and platelet level in SLE patients. Our data indicated that increased plasma HMGB1 was associated with disease activity in SLE, which was similar to TNF-alpha. High level of plasma IFN-alpha may be related to nephritis and thrombocytopenia in SLE.
Department of Central Laboratory, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan 250021, People's Republic of China.
Chun-yan
CY
Ma
Yu-lian
YL
Jiao
Jie
J
Zhang
Qing-rui
QR
Yang
Zhi-fen
ZF
Zhang
Ya-juan
YJ
Shen
Zi-jiang
ZJ
Chen
Yue-ran
YR
Zhao
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D024243:HMGB1 Protein / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
D024243:HMGB1 Protein; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha