title: Expression of TLR-7, MyD88, NF-kB, and INF-α in B Lymphocytes of Mayan Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Mexico.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease involving multiple organs. It is currently accepted that several genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors are contributing to its development. Innate immunity may have a great influence in autoimmunity through Toll-like receptors. TLR-7 recognizing single-strand RNA has been involved in SLE. Its activation induces intracellular signal with attraction of MyD88 and NF-kBp65, leading to IFN-α synthesis which correlate with disease activity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the expression of TLR-7, MyD88, and NF-kBp65 in B lymphocytes of Mayan women with SLE.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients with SLE and 100 healthy controls, all of them Mayan women, were included. TLR-7 was analyzed on B and T lymphocytes, and MyD88 and NF-kB only in B lymphocytes. Serum INF-α level was evaluated by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant expression (p < 0.0001) of TLR-7 in B and T lymphocytes and serum IFN-α increased (p = 0.034) was observed in patients. MyD88 and NF-kBp65 were also increased in B lymphocytes of patients. TLR-7 and NF-kBp65 expression correlated, but no correlation with INF-α and disease activity was detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data support the role of TLR-7 and signal proteins in the pathogenesis of SLE in the Mayan population of Yucatán.
authors: Laboratorio de Hematología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán , Mérida , Mexico.
authors: Guillermo Valencia
authors: GV
authors: Pacheco
authors: Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán , Mérida , Mexico.
authors: Irene B
authors: IB
authors: Novelo Noh
authors: Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán , Mérida , Mexico.
authors: Rubí M-H
authors: RM
authors: Velasco Cárdenas
authors: Hospital General Dr. Agustín O'Horán , Mérida , Mexico.
authors: Angélica V
authors: AV
authors: Angulo Ramírez
authors: Hospital General Regional ISSSTE, Servicios de Salud de Yucatán (SSY) , Mérida , México.
authors: Ricardo F
authors: RF
authors: López Villanueva
authors: Laboratorio de Hematología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán , Mérida , Mexico.
authors: Irma G
authors: IG
authors: Quintal Ortiz
authors: Laboratorio de Hematología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán , Mérida , Mexico.
authors: Ligia G
authors: LG
authors: Alonso Salomón
authors: Laboratorio de Hematología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán , Mérida , Mexico.
authors: Norma Pavía
authors: NP
authors: Ruz
authors: Laboratorio de Hematología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán , Mérida , Mexico.
authors: Nubia A
authors: NA
authors: Rivero Cárdenas
keywords: Interferon-α; Toll-like receptor 7; innate immunity; pathogenesis; systemic lupus erythematosus