title: Reduced expressions of Fas and Bcl-2 proteins in CD14+ monocytes and normal CD14 soluble levels in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: In order to evaluate Fas and Bcl-2 expressions in CD14+ monocytes, to measure soluble CD14 serum levels and to analyze the relationships with lupus nephritis and disease activity, we enrolled 41 patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and 27 healthy volunteers. Disease activity was determined by SLEDAI score. Peripheral monocytes were stained for CD14, Fas and Bcl-2 molecules, and cellular expressions were determined by flow cytometry. Soluble CD14 levels were measured by a quantitative ELISA kit. JSLE patients, those with active disease and those with nephritis, presented significantly reduced expressions of Fas and Bcl-2 proteins in CD14+ monocytes compared with healthy controls. Significant inverse correlations between percentages of CD14+Fas+ cells, SLEDAI score and anti-dsDNA antibodies were observed. JSLE patients had soluble CD14 levels similar to controls, although sCD14 levels positively correlated with ESR, but not with SLEDAI score. JSLE patients with nephritis also presented sCD14 levels similar to controls. In conclusion, the reduced expressions of Fas and Bcl-2 proteins in CD14+ monocytes from JSLE patients depict that monocyte apoptotic mechanisms may be important in lupus pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Instituto da Criança, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Säo Paulo, Brazil. bernadete.liphaus@hc.fm.usp.br
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Liphaus
authors.forename: M H B
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kiss
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goldenstein-Schainberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology; D017209:Apoptosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000097:blood; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; C491901:FAS protein, human; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D019014:fas Receptor; D004247:DNA
keywords: Apoptosis; Fas and Bcl-2 proteins; anti-dsDNA antibody; monocytes; nephritis; soluble CD14; systemic lupus erythematosus