Relative CTLA-4, PTPN-22, and interleukin 37 mRNA expressions in patients with lupus nephritis

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by T-cell immune-dysregulation and loss of tolerance to self-antigens. CTLA-4 and PTPN-22 are involved in the inhibition of T-lymphocytes activation. IL-37 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that suppresses innate immunity. The relative expression of CTLA-4, IL-37 and PTPN-22 were evaluated as negative regulators of immune response in SLE patients, lupus nephritis (LN) and disease activity.Methods: Real-Time PCR was performed to determine relative CTLA-4, IL-37, and PTPN-22 mRNA expres-sions in fifty-eight SLE patients, who were divided into two groups: 29 SLE patients without nephritis and 29 patients with LN, versus fifty controls.Results: There was a significantly high-expression of CTLA-4 and IL-37 genes in SLE patients compared to controls (p = 0.005; 0.018 respectively). There was no difference in relative PTPN-22 mRNA expres-sion between the SLE patients and controls. Relative CTLA-4 mRNA expression decreased in LN patients (p = 0.044), however, relative IL-37 mRNA over-expressed in LN patients (p = 0.001) compared to those without LN. There was a significant over-expression of relative IL-37 andPTPN-22 mRNA in active SLE patients. But, there was a non-significant difference in CTLA-4 expression with disease activity. Regres-sion analysis revealed patients with relative IL-37 mRNA over-expression had two times more to develop lupus nephritis (OR = 1.906, 95% CI = 1.218-2.983, p = 0.005).Conclusions: Relative IL-37mRNA expression was elevated in SLE patients and associated with renal involvement and disease activity. It could be considered as a new promising predicting tool for LN. Relative PTPN-22 mRNA expression was correlated with disease activity only in SLE patients.(c) 2022 Elsevier Espan similar to a, S.L.U. and Sociedad Espan similar to ola de Reumatologi ' a y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatologi ' a. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the relative expression levels of CTLA-4, IL-37, and PTPN-22 genes in SLE patients, and found that the relative mRNA expression of IL-37 was associated with renal involvement and disease activity, suggesting that it could be a new predictive tool for SLE nephritis.