title: Expression of toll-like receptors 3, 7, and 9 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown aetiology. The results of experimental studies point to the involvement of innate immunity receptors-toll-like receptors (TLR)-in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of the study was to assess the expression of TLR3, 7, and 9 in the population of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and in B lymphocytes (CD19(+)), T lymphocytes (CD4(+) and CD8(+)) using flow cytometry. The study group included 35 patients with SLE and 15 healthy controls. The patient group presented a significantly higher percentage of TLR3- and TLR9-positive cells among all PBMCs and their subpopulations (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), and CD19(+) lymphocytes) as well as TLR7 in CD19(+) B-lymphocytes, compared to the control group. There was no correlation between the expression of all studied TLRs and the disease activity according to the SLAM scale, and the degree of organ damage according to the SLICC/ACR Damage Index. However, a correlation was observed between the percentage of various TLR-positive cells and some clinical (joint lesions) and laboratory (lymphopenia, hypogammaglobulinemia, anaemia, and higher ESR) features and menopause in women. The results of the study suggest that TLR3, 7, and 9 play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE and have an impact on organ involvement in SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Ciolkowskiego 2, 93-510 Lodz, Poland ; Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Pabianicka 62, 93-513 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Klonowska-Szymczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Ciolkowskiego 2, 93-510 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wolska
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Ciolkowskiego 2, 93-510 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Robak
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Ciolkowskiego 2, 93-510 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cebula-Obrzut
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, Ciolkowskiego 2, 93-510 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smolewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Plac J. Hallera 1, 90-647 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4633-9160
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D051196:Toll-Like Receptor 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051199:Toll-Like Receptor 7 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017252:CD3 Complex; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C495344:TLR3 protein, human; C495348:TLR7 protein, human; C495371:TLR9 protein, human; D051196:Toll-Like Receptor 3; D051199:Toll-Like Receptor 7; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9