title: Evaluation of TLR9 expression on PBMCs and CpG ODN-TLR9 ligation on IFN-α production in SLE patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by autoreactive antibodies. Recent findings revealed the importance of innate immune responses, especially Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the pathogenesis of SLE.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, the level of TLR9 expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was analyzed. The levels of produced IFN-α were also measured in supernatant of PBMCs from SLE patients and healthy controls after stimulation with CpG ODN2216 which is a plasmocytoid dendritic cell (pDC)-specific TLR9 ligand.
  
  
  METHODS
  TLR9 expression was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow cytometry in 35 SLE patients and 38 healthy controls and IFN-α concentration was measured in supernatants using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the TLR9 expression in the mRNA and the protein level was significantly higher in PBMCs from SLE patients. However, IFN-α concentration in patients and controls significantly increased in response to CpG stimulation but this increase was significantly higher in healthy controls compared with SLE patients. Our results do not show any association between taking hydroxychloroquine and reduction in IFN-α production in SLE patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regarding the findings of the study, there is the possibility that TLR9 has played a role in SLE pathogenesis, and consequently it implies that TLRs can be considered to be the therapeutic targets for systemic autoimmunity. We may conclude that PBMCs in patients are functionally impaired in response to TLR ligation via innate response stimulating pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs).
authors.affiliation: a Department of Immunology, School of Medicine , Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran.
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mortezagholi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Immunology, School of Medicine , Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran.
authors.forename: Zohreh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Babaloo
authors.affiliation: b Department of Immunology, School of Public Health , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Parisa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rahimzadeh
authors.affiliation: c Department of Immunology, School of Medicine , Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran.
authors.forename: Haideh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Namdari
authors.affiliation: b Department of Immunology, School of Public Health , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghaedi
authors.affiliation: d Department of Rheumatology, Rheumatology Research Center , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Farhad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gharibdoost
authors.affiliation: e Department of Immunology, School of Medicine , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mirzaei
authors.affiliation: f Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Katayoon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bidad
authors.affiliation: e Department of Immunology, School of Medicine , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Eisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salehi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000819:agonists
chemical_list: C526902:CpG ODN 2216; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; C495371:TLR9 protein, human; D051217:Toll-Like Receptor 9
keywords: Antinuclear antibody; CpG oligodeoxynucleotide; Toll-like receptor 9; interferon-I; systemic lupus erythematosus