title: Effect of Leflunomide on the Abnormal Expression of Lipid Rafts and F-Actin in B Lymphocytes from Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the possible changes in B cell subsets and in B cell expression patterns of lipid rafts (LRs) and F-actin in patients with SLE and whether leflunomide treatment may have effect on these changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The B cell subsets and LRs expression were determined by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, and F-actin expression was examined by confocal microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CD27(+)IgD(+) B cell subsets were significantly decreased while CD38(+)CD95(+) B cell subsets increased in SLE patients. The LRs levels of B cells were remarkably increased and positively correlated with SLEDAI and anti-dsDNA titer in SLE patients. The expression level of LRs was significantly higher in CD38(+) B cells than CD38(-) B cells and negatively correlated with C3 levels. The increased expression of LRs was associated with reduced expression of F-actin in the B cells from active SLE patients. Furthermore, in vitro treatment of the cells with A771726 reduced the expression level of LRs, attenuated the overaggregation of LRs, and normalized the distribution of F-actin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were abnormalities in B cell subsets and LRs and F-actin expression of B cell from SLE patients. Modulation of B cell expression of LRs and F-actin by LEF could be a potential therapeutic target for SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China.
authors.forename: Guang Fu
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China ; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Pingxiang People's Hospital, Pingxiang, Jiangxi 337055, China.
authors.forename: De Ning
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China.
authors.forename: Guang Feng
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003437:Crotonates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D009570:Nitriles; D014052:Toluidines
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D015703:Antigens, CD; D003437:Crotonates; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D009570:Nitriles; D014052:Toluidines; C527525:teriflunomide; D000077339:Leflunomide