%0 Journal Article
%T Altered AKT1 and MAPK1 Gene Expression on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Correlation with T-Helper-Transcription Factors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients
%A Sonia Garcia-Rodriguez
%A Jose-Luis Callejas-Rubio
%A Norberto Ortego-Centeno
%A Esther Zumaquero
%A Raquel R¨ªos-Fernandez
%A Salvador Arias-Santiago
%A Pilar Navarro
%A Jaime Sancho
%A Mercedes Zubiaur
%J Mediators of Inflammation
%D 2012
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2012/495934
%X Kinases have been implicated in the immunopathological mechanisms of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). v-akt murine-thymoma viral-oncogene-homolog 1 (AKT1) and mitogen-activated-protein-kinase 1 (MAPK1) gene expressions in peripheral mononuclear cells from thirteen SLE patients with inactive or mild disease were evaluated using quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase-chain-reaction and analyzed whether there was any correlation with T-helper (Th) transcription factors (TF) gene expression, cytokines, and S100A8/S100A9-(Calprotectin). Age- and gender-matched thirteen healthy controls were examined. AKT1 and MAPK1 expressions were upregulated in SLE patients and correlated with Th17-(Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (ROR)-C), T-regulatory-(Treg)-(Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFB)-2), and Th2-(interleukin (IL)-5)-related genes. MAPK1 expression correlated with Th1-(IL-12A, T-box TF-(T-bet)), Th2-(GATA binding protein-(GATA)-3), and IL-10 expressions. IL-10 expression was increased and correlated with plasma Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-¦Á and Th0-(IL-2), Th1-(IL-12A, T-bet), GATA3, Treg-(Forkhead/winged-helix transcription factor- (FOXP)-3), and IL-6 expressions. FOXP3 expression, FOXP3/RORC, and FOXP3/GATA3 expression ratios were increased. Plasma IL-1¦Â, IL-12(p70), Interferon-(IFN)-¦Ã, and IL-6 cytokines were augmented. Plasma IL-1¦Â, IL-6, IL-2, IFN-¦Ã, TNF-¦Á, IL-10, and IL-13 correlated with C-reactive protein, respectively. Increased Calprotectin correlated with neutrophils. Conclusion, SLE patients presented a systemic immunoinflammatory activity, augmented AKT1 and MAPK1 expressions, proinflammatory cytokines, and Calprotectin, together with increased expression of Treg-related genes, suggesting a regulatory feedback opposing the inflammatory activity. 1. Introduction Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease most common in women of reproductive age [1], characterized by a relapsing/remitting course and the involvement of multiple organs, including skin, kidneys, and central nervous system. Pathophysiologically is characterized by the dysfunction of T, B, and dendritic cells (DC), skewed cytokine production, breakdown of immunological tolerance, and by the production of antinuclear autoantibodies [2¨C5]. In SLE bone marrow mononuclear cells, Nakou et al. [6] identified central gene regulators implicated in disease pathogenesis which include activation of multiple kinase pathways (MAPK/extracellular regulated MAP kinase (ERK), Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT), AKT, and
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/mi/2012/495934/