Expression of Ets-1 and FOXP3 mRNA in CD4(+)CD25 (+) T regulatory cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease with complex genetic predisposing factors involved. Ets-1 transcription factor plays an important role in the suppressive activity of CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells and stable expression of FOXP3. To find its potential role in the pathogenesis of SLE, we investigate the mRNA expression of Ets-1 and FOXP3 mRNA in CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells from patients with SLE. Real-time transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to determine the expression of Ets-1 and FOXP3 mRNA in CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells from 36 patients with SLE and 18 sex-and-age-matched healthy controls. The Ets-1 mRNA expression level was decreased in patients with SLE [0.225 (0.135, 0.337)] than healthy controls [0.528 (0.303, 0.681)] (P < 0.001). The expression levels of FOXP3 mRNA were lower in SLE patients [0.608 (0.272, 1.164)] than healthy controls [0.919 (0.690, 1.223)], but the difference was not significant (P = 0.106). Significant reduction in Ets-1 and FOXP3 expression was also found in new-onset SLE subgroup when compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001). The level of Ets-1 and FOXP3 mRNA was not significantly different in hyperactive and lower active SLE group when compared with inactive SLE group, respectively (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between SLE with lupus nephritis (LN) and SLE without LN either (P > 0.05). Associations of Ets-1 and FOXP3 mRNA expression levels with major clinical and laboratory parameters of SLE patients were also analyzed. However, no significant association was found. Significant positive correlation was found between Ets-1 and FOXP3 mRNA expression in CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells from SLE patients (r = 0.698, P < 0.001). Our results found that the expression levels of Ets-1 mRNA were decreased in SLE patients and Ets-1 expression was positively correlated with the expression of FOXP3. It indicated that Ets-1 may play an important role in the stable expression of FOXP3 in CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells.
Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, No. 17 LuJiang Road, Hefei, 230001, People's Republic of China.
Nan
N
Xiang
Xiang-Pei
XP
Li
Xiao-Mei
XM
Li
Guo-Sheng
GS
Wang
Jin-Hui
JH
Tao
Hai-Feng
HF
Pan
Xuan
X
Fang
Qian
Q
Ma
Ning
N
Yu
D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000032:analysis*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D059467:Transcriptome; D055815:Young Adult
C494041:ETS1 protein, human; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C508017:IL2RA protein, human; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D050784:Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger