IL-37 inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: its correlation with disease activity

作者：Liang Ye, Ling Ji, Zhongyang Wen, Yanfei Zhou, Dongsheng Hu, Yanqun Li, Ting Yu, Bingni Chen, Jinshun Zhang, Liping Ding, Jing Du, Zhong Huang · 发表于：Journal of Translational Medicine · 年份：2014 · DOI：10.1186/1479-5876-12-69 · 被引用次数：155 · 研究领域：Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis、Dermatology and Skin Diseases、Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-37 (IL-37), a new member of IL-1 family cytokine, is recently identified as a natural inhibitor of innate immunity. This study aimed to measure the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum levels of IL-37 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to investigate its role in SLE, including its correlation with disease activity, organ disorder and the regulation of inflammatory cytokines. METHODS: The expressions of IL-37 mRNAs in PBMCs and serum IL-37 levels in 66 SLE patients were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). SLE patients PBMCs were stimulated with recombinant IL-37, levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: IL-37 mRNAs and serum protein levels were higher in patients with SLE compared with healthy controls. Patients with active disease showed higher IL-37 mRNAs and serum protein levels compared with those with inactive disease as well as healthy controls. Serum IL-37 levels correlated with SLEDAI and inversely with C3 and C4. Serum IL-37 levels were higher in SLE patients with renal involvement compared with those without renal disease. In vitro, IL-37 inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in PBMCs of patients with SLE, whereas the production of IL-10 was unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: IL-37 associated with SLE disease activity, especially related with SLE renal disease activity. IL-37 is an impor...