title: LMW heparin prevents increased kidney expression of proinflammatory mediators in (NZBxNZW)F1 mice.
abstract: We have previously demonstrated that continuous infusion of low molecular weight (LMW) heparin delays autoantibody production and development of lupus nephritis in (NZBxNZW)F1 (B/W) mice. In this study we investigated the effect of LMW heparin on renal cytokine and chemokine expression and on nucleosome-mediated activation of nucleosome-specific splenocytes. Total mRNA extracted from kidneys of heparin-treated or -untreated B/W mice was analysed by qPCR for the expression of several cytokines, chemokines, and Toll-like receptors. Splenocytes taken from B/W mice were stimulated with nucleosomes with or without the presence of heparin. Splenocyte cell proliferation as thymidine incorporation and the expression of costimulatory molecules and cell activation markers were measured. Heparin treatment of B/W mice reduced the in vivo expression of CCR2, IL1 β , and TLR7 compared to untreated B/W mice. Nucleosome-induced cell proliferation of splenocytes was not influenced by heparin. The expression of CD80, CD86, CD69, CD25, CTLA-4, and TLR 2, 7, 8, and 9 was upregulated upon stimulation by nucleosomes, irrespective of whether heparin was added to the cell culture or not. In conclusion, treatment with heparin lowers the kidney expression of proinflammatory mediators in B/W mice but does not affect nucleosomal activation of splenocytes.
authors.affiliation: RNA and Molecular Pathology Research Group, Institute of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Annica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hedberg
authors.forename: Premasany
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kanapathippillai
authors.forename: Ole Petter
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Rekvig
authors.forename: Kristin Andreassen
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Fenton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D009707:Nucleosomes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors