title: Altered expression of TNFSF4 and TRAF2 mRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: association with atherosclerotic symptoms and lupus nephritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compares the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 4 (TNFSF4) and TNF-R-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) mRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) against healthy controls. The association of SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and clinical features of SLE with altered expression levels of TNFSF4 and TRAF2 mRNAs were also evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to measure TNFSF4 and TRAF2 mRNAs expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 57 SLE patients and 57 healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression level of TNFSF4 mRNA was significantly higher in SLE patients than in the control group. Overexpression of TNFSF4 was correlated with arthritis, atherosclerosis and lupus nephritis. TRAF2 mRNA was underexpressed in PBMCs of SLE patients, and its lower expression was associated with atherosclerosis and lupus nephritis. The altered expression levels of TNFSF4 and TRAF2 mRNAs was significantly correlated with SLEDAI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that changes in the expression levels of TNFSF4 and TRAF2 mRNAs may significantly correlate with the pathogenesis of SLE, the disease activity and different clinical features of lupus, particularly lupus nephritis, atherosclerosis and arthritis.
authors: Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Peyman
authors: P
authors: Rajabi
authors: Mahsa
authors: M
authors: Alaee
authors: Kazem
authors: K
authors: Mousavizadeh
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Samadikuchaksaraei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000235:genetics*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D053278:OX40 Ligand / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood; D047992:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D053278:OX40 Ligand; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D047992:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 2; C089251:TNFSF4 protein, human