[Effect of total glucosides of peony on expression and DNA methylation status of ITGAL gene in CD4(+) T cells of systemic lupus erythematosus].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of total glucosides of peony (TGP) on expression and DNA methylation status of ITGAL gene (CD11a) in CD4(+) T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
CD4(+) T cells were isolated by positive selection using CD4 beads. CD4(+) T cells were treated by TGP at 0, 62.5, 312.5 and 1562.5 mg/L for 48 h. The MTT method was used to assess cell viability; mRNA expression level was measured by realtime-PCR; protein level of CD11a was measured by flow cytometric analysis; DNA methylation status was assayed by bisulfite sequencing.


RESULTS
No significant change in cell viability was found in CD4(+) T cells among the different concentration groups (P>0.05). Compared with control, the mRNA and protein levels of ITGAL were down-regulated significantly in SLE CD4(+) T cells treated with TGP (1562.5 mg/L) (P< 0.01). Furthermore, the extent of DNA methylation of ITGAL promoter was increased in TGP (1562.5 mg/L) treated CD4(+) T cells compared with control group (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
TGP can repress CD11a gene expression through enhancing DNA methylation of ITGAL promoter in CD4(+) T cells from patients with SLE. This observation represents a preliminary step in understanding the mechanism of TGP in SLE therapy.
Department of Dermatology, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Ming
M
Zhao
Gongping
G
Liang
Shuangyan
S
Luo
Qianjin
Q
Lu
D040881:CD11a Antigen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005960:Glucosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D029596:Paeonia / Q000737:chemistry*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D040881:CD11a Antigen; D005960:Glucosides; D012333:RNA, Messenger