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Anti-interleukin-6 monoclonal antibody inhibits autoimmune responses in a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease resulting from dysregulation of the immune system. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine produced by macrophages, monocytes and T and B cells. It stimulates B-cell differentiation/maturation, immunoglobulin secretion, and T-cell functions. Elevated levels of IL-6 in serum, urine and renal glomeruli were detected in patients with active SLE and in murine models of SLE. Our study investigated the role of IL-6 in an SLE-like disease in New Zealand Black/White (NZB/W) F1 mice by administration of an anti-murine IL-6 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Intraperitoneal administration of the anti-IL-6 mAb suppressed the production of anti-dsDNA autoantibody. B-cell proliferation induced by anti-IgM and anti-CD40 was lower in the anti-IL-6 mAb-treated mice, ex vivo studies demonstrated that anti-IL-6 mAb treatment inhibited anti-dsDNA production. Anti-CD3-induced T-cell proliferation and mixed lymphocyte reactions were inhibited by anti-IL-6 mAb treatment, indicating a partial down-regulation of T cells. Histological analysis showed that treatment with anti-IL-6 mAb prevented the development of severe kidney disease. These results suggest that treatment with anti-IL-6 mAb has a beneficial effect on autoimmunity in murine SLE and that autoreactive B cells may be the primary target for anti-IL-6 mAb treatment; its effect on autoreactive T cells is also indicated.

Animals↗

[Progress and perspectives in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus].

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that predominantly affects women in childbearing age. SLE tissue damage is mediated by autoantibodies, complement activation and immune complexes deposition. The disease is diagnosed on the basis of its clinical manifestations and the demonstration of characteristic immunological phenomena, especially antinuclear antibodies. Management of the disease includes regular monitoring of disease activity, avoidance of predisposing factors and therapy guided by the activity and severity of the leading organ manifestation. Treatment ranges from nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs to intensive treatment with cytotoxic agents. Corticosteroids form the basis of all regimens. Antimalarials and azathioprine are important for treating mild and moderate SLE cases, especially for the long time. Cyclophosphamide given intravenously is the current gold standard for severe lupus nephritis. More recently new strategies for immunosuppression in SLE, that interfere with the syntesis of DNA and nucleotides have been developed (such as mycophenolate mofetil, fludarabine and cladribine). Other agents like cyclosporine and tacrolimus inhibit effect of the activation signals for T cells by inhibition of calcineurin. Some monoclonal antibodies against cytokines or components of the complement system interfere with the effector phase of the immune response. Abetimus (LJP-394) inhibits the production of anti-dsDNA antibodies and may prevent glomerulonephritis caused by anti-DNA containing immune complexes. Somatic gene therapy is also a novel approach in autoimmune disorders and my be a valuable method of SLE therapy in the future. The adrenal steroid prasterone (DHEA) has also shown benefitial effects in mild to moderate SLE. Finally, autologous stem cell transplantation can induce tolerance to self-antigens and cause significant improvement in SLE patients. However, new therapeutic strategies must be tested according to the established principles of clinical trial methods.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Anti-DNA autoantibodies and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects most of the organs and tissues of the body, causing glomerulonephritis, arthritis, and cerebritis. SLE can be fatal with nephritis, in particular, predicting a poor outcome for patients. In this review, we highlight what has been learned about SLE from the study of mouse models, and pay particular attention to anti-DNA autoantibodies, both as pathological agents of lupus nephritis and as DNA-binding proteins. We summarize the current approaches used to treat SLE and discuss the targeting of anti-DNA autoantibodies as a new treatment for lupus nephritis.

Animals↗

[Morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus].

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that can affect any organ system, mostly central and peripheral nervous system, lungs, heart, kidneys, skin, serous membranes, and components of blood. Lupus is more prevalent in females, has no etiology, and has a distinct association with several immune response genes. Understanding and treatment of lupus has progressed in the last decade, contributing to the improvement in survival and quality of life. Improvement in prognosis is associated with many factors including the socioeconomic state, advanced medicine, and access to medical sources. Three aspects of the disease are necessary to establish and describe the prognosis in SLE: disease activity, accumulated damage, and health status/quality of life.

Humans↗

Prospects for autoimmune disease: Research advances in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease with a significant genetic component to susceptibility. Some environmental risks are known, and identification of specific genetic factors promises to define new molecular targets for therapy. Broad immunosuppression will be replaced by early, selective, and individualized intervention. Mortality rates will decline, and insights into therapy may apply to other autoimmune conditions.

Allergy and Immunology↗

Microchimerism in a female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a serious multisystem disease that has a striking propensity to affect women. The cause of SLE remains elusive. Fetomaternal cell trafficking, or the passage of fetal cells into the maternal circulation, is now a well-established phenomenon. In addition, fetal cells have been implicated in the development of preeclampsia and in the pathogenesis of scleroderma. We undertook this study to determine whether fetomaternal cell trafficking might also be involved in pathogenic processes in SLE. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis was performed using X and Y chromosome-specific probes on affected and unaffected tissue obtained at autopsy from a woman who had previously given birth to 2 males and who had died of complications of SLE. The goal of the analysis was to detect the presence of male cells of putative fetal origin. Male cells were found in every histologically abnormal tissue type that was examined, but were not found in histologically normal tissue. These data suggest that fetal cells may be associated with SLE. It is unclear whether their presence may be related to disease causation, an effect of disease progression, or unrelated to disease pathology. However, this case study is an important step toward understanding the potential relationship between fetomaternal cell trafficking and SLE pathology.

Adult↗

A meta-analysis of the clinical manifestations of older-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with onset in later life has been reported to have a clinical presentation different from that in younger individuals; however, the disease manifestations typical of older-onset SLE patients are known to vary widely among published studies. Meta-analysis is a statistical process capable of quantitatively combining the results of these reports. This meta-analysis examines the methodologic features of studies investigating age-associated manifestations of SLE, and pools estimates of association between clinical features of SLE and age across these studies. Serositis, interstitial pulmonary disease, anti-La antibodies, and Sjögren's syndrome were most strongly and consistently associated with older-onset SLE, while alopecia, Raynaud's phenomenon, fever, lymphadenopathy, hypocomplementemia, and neuropsychiatric illness were present less frequently in this group. The extent to which information bias, selection bias, and uncontrolled confounding effects potentially influence these results is discussed. The available information in the literature does not describe the spectrum of clinical manifestations of SLE in the elderly sufficiently to allow its categorization as a distinct entity.

Age Factors↗

Association between endogenously activated T cells and immunoglobulin-secreting B cells in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by increased numbers of circulating B cells activated polyclonally to secrete immunoglobulin. Because T cells secrete, or shed, various factors that are functionally important in regulating immunoglobulin production by B cells, a reverse hemolytic plaque assay was developed to quantitate such activated T cells. In this technique, we used a rabbit antiserum raised to supernatants of concanavalin-A--stimulated human lymphocytes. The relevant antigenic specificity of this antiserum is directed toward the shed surface membrane determinant(s) preferentially expressed on activated T cells. Freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 14 SLE patients contained more than 10 times the number of endogenously activated T cells than cells from normal subjects. Within the SLE group, plaque-forming T cells were particularly increased in patients with active disease. By linear regression analysis, a significant positive correlation was revealed between such activated T cells and immunoglobulin-secreting B cells, also measured by a reverse plaque assay (r = 0.83). It appears that both activated B cells and T cells circulate in increased numbers in SLE. Additional investigation will be required to define the molecular nature of the T cell product(s) being measured and to clarify the relationship of these findings to the immunoregulatory abnormalities in this disorder.

Animals↗

Immunoglobulin heavy chain constant-region gene polymorphism in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with immunoglobulin allotypes in several ethnic groups. In this study, we investigated the association of a Bst EII immunoglobulin heavy chain constant-region gene restriction fragment length polymorphism with SLE in patients from the US and Mexico. A 3-kb restriction fragment was observed with significantly decreased frequency in randomly selected Mexican SLE patients and in Mexican SLE patients in multiplex families. However, no such association was observed in SLE patients from the US. Thus, the absence of a 3.0-kb Bst EII restriction fragment from immunoglobulin heavy chain constant-region genes provides a marker for SLE in Mexican individuals.

Blotting, Southern↗

The role of the idiotypic network in the induction of experimental systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been induced in C3H.SW mice by their immunization with a human monoclonal anti-DNA antibody that bears a common idiotype-16/6 Id. Following immunization, high levels of murine anti-16/6 and anti-anti-16/6 antibodies were detected in the sera of the immunized mice. Elevated titers of autoantibodies reacting with ssDNA, dsDNA, poly(I), poly(G), RNP, Ro, and La were also observed. The serological findings were associated with significant proteinuria, leukopenia, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Immune complex deposition in the glomerular mesangium and sclerosis of the glomeruli were demonstrated. To study whether or not anti-idiotype antibodies are involved in the induction of the disease, a murine monoclonal antibody against the 16/6 Id was prepared and injected into C3H.SW mice. The anti-16/6 Id antibody induced experimental SLE similarly to the 16/6 Id with an accelerated kidney pathology. A study performed on different mouse strains indicated that the susceptibility to the induction of SLE by the 16/6 Id is strain dependent and directly correlates to their ability to produce anti-16/6 Id specific antibodies.

Animals↗

Gender differences in autoimmune diseases: estrogen increases calcineurin expression in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) predominantly affects women (9:1 compared to men) of childbearing age and often decreases its intensity in postmenopausal women, suggesting that sex hormones play a role in its pathogenesis. Comparison of steady-state levels of calcineurin mRNA using RNase protection assays revealed increased calcineurin expression in response to estradiol in cultured T cells from nine female lupus patients. Calcineurin mRNA levels did not increase significantly in T cells from eight age-matched normal control female volunteers. Estrogen-dependent calcineurin mRNA increased in a dose-dependent fashion, while progesterone and dexamethasone did not increase calcineurin mRNA in patient cells. Lupus T cell calcineurin mRNA increased in response to estradiol at 6 h but not at 3 h. Calcineurin phosphatase activity increased in lupus T cell extracts after incubation of cells with estradiol, while phosphatase activity in normal T cells was unaffected by estrogen. Calcineurin expression in T cells from patients with vasculitis and rheumatoid arthritis taking medications similar to those taken by the lupus patients was unaffected by estradiol. This study provides the first evidence for a molecular marker of estrogen action in lupus patients and suggests that estrogen-dependent changes in lupus T cell calcineurin could alter proinflammatory cytokine gene regulation and T-B cell interactions.

Adult↗

Do elevated levels of serum-soluble fas contribute to the persistence of activated lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by generalized immune activation. Part of this might be explained by a decreased rate of apoptosis, possibly related to elevated levels of soluble Fas (sFas) which can inhibit Fas mediated apoptosis of lymphocytes. In order to substantiate the relation between levels of sFas and lymphocyte activation in SLE we monitored sFas levels, lymphocyte activation and disease activity in 25 SLE patients. SLEDAI scores were registered and sera were assayed for sFas levels by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry was used to monitor the state of activation of lymphocyte subsets. Eighteen healthy, age-matched volunteers served as controls. Soluble Fas levels were elevated in SLE patients (n=25) compared to healthy controls (n=18, P=0.002). Soluble Fas levels correlated with SLEDAI scores (r=0.45, P=0.02). Levels of sFas correlated with the percentages of activated B cells defined as CD20(+)CD38(+) cells (r=0.47, P=0.009). Percentages of CD20(+)CD38(+) cells were increased in quiescent SLE compared to healthy controls (P=0.003). The expression of activation markers on CD4(+) T lymphocytes (IL-2R, P=0.04; HLA-DR, P=0.01) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes (HLA-DR, P=0.007) was also increased in quiescent SLE compared to controls. Activation markers on all lymphocyte subsets tended to increase further during disease activity. No correlation was observed between percentages of activated T lymphocyte subsets and levels of sFas. In conclusion, soluble Fas levels are increased in SLE patients and correlate with disease activity as measured by the SLEDAI score and B and T cell subsets are activated even during quiescent SLE. Serum levels of sFas correlate with percentages of activated B cells but not with that of activated T cells.

Adult↗

Pathogenic anti-DNA idiotype (16/6 Id) in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is regarded as a classical autoimmune disease. Despite this belief, no one has been able to induce the disease in naive animals, neither with DNA nor with anti-DNA antibodies. We report on the induction of SLE in BALB/c mice following immunization with a pathogenic anti-DNA idiotype (16/6 Id) or its anti-Id. We also report on a specific treatment with T suppressor cells specific for the 16/6 Id. The induction of SLE in naive mice with a pathogenic anti-DNA Id suggests an additional mechanism for the diversity of manifestations in this disease.

Animals↗

CpG DNA: a pathogenic factor in systemic lupus erythematosus?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial disease of unknown etiology. Characteristic features of SLE include (1) polyclonal B cell activation, (2) overexpression of the immune stimulatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), (3) defective tolerance to self antigens, and (4) production of anti-DNA antibodies (Ab). Bacterial infection has been suspected as a triggering factor for lupus. Bacterial DNA differs from vertebrate DNA in the frequency and methylation of CpG dinucleotides. These CpG motifs in bacterial DNA induce a variety of immune effects, including (1) polyclonal activation of murine and human B cells, (2) IL-6 secretion, and (3) resistance to apoptosis, thereby potentially allowing the survival of autoreactive cells. These results suggest that microbial DNA could therefore be a pathogenic factor in SLE. SLE patients have elevated levels of circulating plasma DNA which is reportedly enriched in hypomethylated CpGs. Genomic DNA is also hypomethylated in SLE. The purpose of this review is to summarize the immune effects of CpG motifs and to present the evidence for their possible involvement in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Base Sequence↗

Opera-glass deformity and tendon rupture in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease entity that frequently becomes clinically evident as a generalized arthritis. Despite this common presentation, it is widely accepted that the arthritis of SLE rarely produces severe joint deformity with barely 10% of the patients developing swan neck, boutumiere deformity or a Jaccoud-like arthropathy. An even lesser proportion of patients develop joint erosions and there have been several clinical reports of tendon rupture in patients suffering from the above condition. However, there is still a great deal of controversy concerning the aetiology of the tendon rupture in these patients and while some authors suggest that corticosteroid therapy influences the outcome of this syndrome, pathology studies were included in a small number of these case reports. The subject of the present case report is a patient with SLE and resorptive arthropathy who suffered repeated episodes of tendon ruptures. The local pathologic findings in this patient suggest that the basic disease process was the cause of the tendon ruptures.

Female↗

Systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) of childhood is a complex and challenging disease which can occur at any age. Identification of disease early in it's course and aggressive, appropriate management leads to improved outcome for an individual child. The history of SLE indicates how much progress has been made in the last quarter century. A discussion of the etiopathogenesis of SLE demonstrates the complexity of the syndrome. This is followed by a description of clinical manifestations, including diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis and suggested methods for eliciting important symptoms to make the diagnosis. Evaluation of specific organs is next reviewed highlighting critical organ manifestations that are significant for future prognosis. Treatment of SLE includes a variety of medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, steroids and immuno-suppressive drugs. Attention to physical activity, stress and nutrition is equally important. Signs and symptoms that indicate disease flare or infection are described. Lastly, related syndromes are reviewed.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

The roles of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in B cell hyperactivity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease most prevalent in women between the ages of twenty and sixty. Successful treatment remains challenging due to a lack of understanding of the underlying mechanisms and multiple symptoms ranging from skin rashes to glomerulonephritis. The pathogenesis of SLE has been linked to a B-cell hyperproliferation unique to afflicted patients. These B-cells generate large quantities of IgG autoantibodies, ultimately capable of leading to lupus nephritis and renal failure. The significance of cytokines in SLE and in murine lupus, a related disease in mice, has been debated, particularly with respect to B-cell activity. Potential roles of auto-regulatory and inflammatory cytokines have been investigated. In particular, IL-6 and IL-10 have been shown to be key factors in regulating autoantibody-secreting B-cell activity in lupus. Here, we will provide a critical overview of our current knowledge of the regulatory roles of these two cytokines in SLE.

Animals↗

Immunoglobulin GM and KM genotypes in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by immune complex deposition. We genotyped immunoglobulin allotypes of G1M (f,z), G2M (n+,n-), G3M (b,g) and KM (1,3) in 142 Korean patients with SLE and 200 healthy controls to investigate the role of the allotypes in SLE. The allele frequency of G1M (z) was significantly higher in patients with SLE as compared to the healthy controls (94.6% vs. 84.3%, corrected P = 0.0004, OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.71-6.88). The frequency of G2M (n-) allele was also higher in patients with SLE (95.3% vs. 88.3%, corrected P = 0.008, OR = 2.71, 95% CI 1.38-5.72). Distribution of the tested allele frequencies for G3M and KM were not different between the patients and controls. In the respect of antibody production, there was increased genotype frequency of G1M (z/z) in anti-Sm(-) SLE (P = 0.023 vs. control, P = 0.042 vs. anti-Sm (+) SLE). In conclusion, particular genotypes at G1M (f,z) and G2M (n+,n-) loci are significantly associated with SLE. These immunoglobulin genes may contribute to the etiology of SLE and production of autoantibodies.

Adult↗