Objective To investigate whether monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mediates lupus nephritis (LN) in BXSB mice and whether methylprednisolone ameliorates LN by inhibiting MCP-1 expression. Methods 18-week-old male BXSB mice (n=6) displaying clinical symptoms of glomerulonephritis were treated (i.p.) for 3 weeks with MPS (25 mg?kg-1?d-1) dissolved in N.S. BXSB controls were age-and sex-matched BXSB mice (n=6) that received N.S. alone. Age- and sex-matched BALB/C mice (n=6) were used as normal controls that were treated in the same way as the BXSB controls. MCP-1 expression was investigated by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical examination. The heaviness of proteinuria was also evaluated. Medical imaging analysis was performed to detect the relationship between MCP-1 expression and proteinuria. Results MCP-1 was strongly expressed in kidneys of all BXSB mice, stronger staining was found in cytoplasm of tubular epithelial cells than glomerular, while no expression was found in kidneys of BALB/C mice. MCP-1 expression in tubular cells in BXSB control group was closely correlated with proteinuria. MPS significantly reduced proteinuria and MCP-1 expression and down-regulation of MCP-1 expression in tubular cells was also closely correlated with that of proteinuria. Conclusion MCP-1 over-expression may mediate LN in BXSB. MPS ameliorates LN partially by inhibiting MCP-1 expression.

Objective To study the association of serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP)with disease activity and early joint destruction of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods The serum levels of COMP were measured with ELISA in 94 patients with RA and 40 controls. The serum level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACCP) and hand X-ray were examined at the same time. Results Significantly increased serum level of COMP was found in RA patients (11.3±5.2) U/L as compared to that in healthy controls (9.2±1.7) U/L (P=0.017).Serum level of COMP was higher in 64 active patients (14±6) U/L than that in 30 inactive disease (9±4) U/L(P=0.005). COMP level was positively correlated with the number of the affected joints, X-ray stage, CRP and ESR level (P<0.05); but had no correlation with age, disease course, grade of joint function, RF and ACCP levels. Thirty patients were followed for two years and their radiographic changes were evaluated at the baseline and the end of this study. Sixteen of 18 patients with high concentration serum COMP level had radi-ologic progression, but only 5 of 12 patients with no increase of serum COMP had radiologic progression. A significant difference (P=0.013) was founded in the two groups. Conclusion The present data suggests that the level of COMP is high in patients with RA. High serum levels of COMP indicate high disease activity and early progressive of bone destruction in RA patients. We can us COMP as a laboratory marker of RA.

Objective To measure the serum levels of TWEAK and survivin in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)patients and explore their clinical value. Methods The serum levels of TWEAK and survivin were measured by ELISA methods in 61 patients with RA and 35 healthy controls. The function stage, X-ray stage,and serum levels of ESR, RF and CRP were measured at the same time. Results There was no significant difference between the serum levels of TWEAK in patients with RA[(479±381)pg/ml]and control[(421±87 pg/ml]. The serum level of survivn in patients with RA[(159±82)pg/ml]was increased significantly than that of the controls[(119±24)pg/ml]and were associated with X-ray stage. Conclusion We need further research to explore the relationship between TWEAK and RA. The serum level of survivin is associated with chronic erosive RA and maybe a target for new therapeutic approach of RA.

Objective To explore whether inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) could mediate lupus nephritis(LN) in BXSB mice and whether methyl prednisolone ameliorates LN by inhibiting iNOS expression.Methods Eighteen week old male BXSB mice (n=6) that had clinical diagnosis of glomerulonephritis were treated(i.p.) for 3 weeks with methylprednisolone(25 mg?kg-1?day-1).Controls were age- and sex-matched BXSB mice (n=6) that received normal saline only.Age- and sex- matched BALB/C mice (n=6) were used as normal controls that were treated in the same way as the BXSB controls.iNOS expression was assessed by RT-PCR and immunochemistry.Proteinuria and urinary nitrite/nitrate production were also evaluated.Results iNOS was strongly expressed in kidneys of all BXSB mice,while no signal of expression was found in kidneys of BALB/C mice by both RT-PCR and immunochemistry.Methylprednisolone reduced iNOS expression(P

AIM: To investigate the relationship between TGF-?_1 over-expression and lupus nephritis(LN) in BXSB mice and whether MPS ameliorates LN by inhibiting the over-expression of TGF-?_1. METHODS: BXSB mice (experiment group, n=6) were treated (i.p.) with MPS (25 (mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1))) dissolved in N.S for 3 weeks. The other age and sex-matched BXSB mice (n=6) and BALB/c mice (n=6) received N.S. alone. Proteinuria production was evaluated once a week. The expression of TGF-?_1 in the kidney was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS: MPS significantly reduced proteinuria of BXSB mice (P

Objective To investigate the expression of peripheral programmed death (PD)-1hiCXCR5-CD4+T cells and its clinical significance in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Peripheral blood PD-1hiCXCR5-CD4+ T cells from 21 SLE patients and 16 healthy controls were examined by flow cytometry. The levels of serum anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) antibodies were determined using immunoradiometric as-say. Data were analyzed with t test and Pearson's correlation test. Results The per-centages of PD-1hiCXCR5- cells within CD4+ T cell were significantly higher in SLE patients [(2.1 ±2.0)％] compared to normal controls [(0.3±0.3)％] (t=2.959, P<0.01). The percentages of PD-1hiCXCR5-cells within CD4+T cells in moderate to severe active SLE patients (3.0 ±2.0)％ was significantly increased compared to patients with mild or inactive (1.0±1.4)％(t=2.574, P<0.05) and normal controls (0.3±0.3)％ (t=5.149, P<0.01). The percentages of PD-1hiCXCR5- cells within CD4+ T cells from SLE patients were positively related with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) (r=0.475, P=0.0297). SLE patients in serum anti-dsDNA antibodies positive group (2.7±2.1)％displayed a higher percentage of PD-1hiCXCR5-cells within CD4+T cells than patients in serum anti-dsDNA antibodies negative group (0.6 ±0.5)％ (t=2.303, P<0.05). The percentages of PD-1hiCXCR5-cells within CD4+T cells from SLE patients were positively correlated with anti-dsDNA antibody titers. Conclusion The percentages of PD-1hiCXCR5- cells within CD4+ T cells from SLE patients are increased and are positively correlated with SLEDAI and anti-dsDNA antibody levels. Increased percentage of PD-1hiCXCR5-cells within CD4+T cells might play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.