Abstract: TH-PO551
Upregulation of IRF4 Correlates With Renal Damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Session Information
- Pathology and Lab Medicine
November 03, 2022 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Orange County Convention Center‚ West Building
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Pathology and Lab Medicine
- 1700 Pathology and Lab Medicine
Authors
- Liu, Yu, The seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Tang, Chun, The seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Wang, Xiaohua, The seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Lei, Yan, The seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Na, Li, The seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Zhu, Enyi, The seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guan, Hui, The seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Liu, Xiaoping, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Zheng, Zhihua, The seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Background
Transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) plays an essential role in driving maturation and differentiation of Ab secreting plasma cells. Our study aims to investigate the expression and localization of IRF4 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its correlation with clinical characteristics.
Methods
The expression of IRF4 in PBMCs from 31 SLE patients and 17 healthy controls (HC) were checked by qPCR and Western blotting. Meanwhile, the relationship between the IRF4 mRNA level and clinical manifestations were analyzed. Furthermore, the distribution patterns of IRF4 and plasma cells were identified in kidneys of MRL/lpr mice and C57BL/6 mice by immunofluorescence staining.
Results
Among patients with active disease but not in remission, the mRNA and protein expression of IRF4 in PBMCs were remarkably increased compared to that in HC group. The mRNA level of IRF4 was positively correlated with frequency of peripheral blood B cells and serum IgA level in SLE patients. Moreover, patients with increased IRF4 mRNA level have a significantly higher frequency of renal damage. Consistently, elevated mRNA and protein expression patterns of IRF4 were observed in kidneys from MRL/lpr mice compared to that from C57BL/6 mice. Besides, IRF4 was found mainly expressed in plasma cells in spleens of MRL/lpr mice, which was notably higher than that of C57BL/6 mice. Also, IRF4 significantly co-localizated with CD138+plasma cells among kidneys from MRL/lpr mice.
Conclusion
Upregulated IRF4 may be clinically involved in renal damage in SLE.
Funding
- Other NIH Support