Expression of autophagy related genes mTOR, Becline-1, LC3 and p62 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of systemic lupus erythematosus

To determine the expression of mTOR, Becline-1, LC3 and p62 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and assess their relationship with disease activity and immunologic features. The expression of mTOR, Becline-1, LC3 and p62 was detected by RT-PCR in 81 SLE subjects and 86 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Data regarding demographics and clinical parameters were collected. Disease activity of SLE was evaluated according to the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score. Independent sample t-test was used to analyze the expression of mTOR, Becline-1, LC3, and p62 in the two groups. Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation was performed to analyze their relationship with disease activity and immunologic features. The mean levels of Becline-1, LC3 and p62 mRNA were significantly higher in SLE patients than the controls (9.96×10-4 vs 7.38×10-4 for Becline-1 with P<0.001; 4.04×10-5 vs 2.62×10-5 for LC3 with P<0.001; 9.51×10-4 vs 7.59×10-4 for p62 with P=0.008). However, the levels of mTOR mRNA in SLE patients were not significantly different from that in controls. Correlation analysis showed that Becline-1, LC3 and p62 mRNA levels correlated positively with SLEDAI, IgG and ds-DNA, negatively with C3. Our results suggested that autophagosomes formation were activated and their degradation were blocked in SLE. Moreover, the maintenance of autophagy balance can improve disease activity and immune disorders in SLE patients