title: Increased activation of toll-like receptors-7 and -8 of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and upregulated serum cytokines in patients with pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interferons (IFNs) and specific interleukins (ILs), which are induced by toll-like receptors (TLRs). The present study aimed to examine the serum levels of cytokines, the activation of TLR-7 and TLR-8 of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from pediatric SLE patients, and to investigate the response of those PBMCs to viral RNA via the TLR-7 and TLR-8 signaling. Results demonstrated that pediatric SLE patients had increased serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IFN-α, and promoted activation of TLR-7 and TLR-8, compared to control subjects. Moreover, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from pediatric SLE patients were more sensitive to the stimulation by the transfection with viral RNA from influenza virus, with a promoted activation of TLR-7 and TLR-8 signaling. In conclusion, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IFN-α were promoted in pediatric SLE patients, with an increased activation of TLR-7 and TLR-8 to the stimuli, such as virus infection. It implies the TLR-7 and TLR-8 activation by virus infection might play an important role in the pathogenesis of pediatric SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Bayi Childrens Hospital Affiliated to Clinical Medical College, Beijing Military General Hospital, Sourthern Medical UniversityBeijing 100007, P. R. China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Organ FailureBeijing, 100007, P. R. China; Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical UniversityHohhot 010059, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yanyan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital Hohhot 010017, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Qinghe
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University Hohhot 010059, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University Hohhot 010059, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital Hohhot 010017, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Bayi Childrens Hospital Affiliated to Clinical Medical College, Beijing Military General Hospital, Sourthern Medical UniversityBeijing 100007, P. R. China; Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical UniversityHohhot 010059, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Jianping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
keywords: Toll-like receptors-7 and -8; cytokines; pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus; peripheral blood mononuclear cells