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  • Title: [IL-18 expression in whole blood cell cultures from active lupus nephritis and the inhibitory effects of FK506, cyclosporin A and dexamethasone].
    Author: Pan ZX, Liu HF, Tang DS, Liang D, Chen XW.
    Journal: Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi; 2004 Nov; 20(6):741-3. PubMed ID: 15555450.
    Abstract:
    AIM: To explore the expression of IL-18 in patients with active lupus nephritis(LN) and the inhibitory effects of immunosupressive agents FK506, cyclosporin A (CsA) and dexamethasone(DEX). METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 16 LN patients and 10 health volunteers and cultured with or without PHA/LPS, PHA/LPS+FK506, PHA/LPS+CsA and PHA/LPS+DEX for 24 hours. The IL-18 level in cultured supernatants and the IL-18 mRNA expression in cultured whole blood cells were detected by ELISA and semi-quantitative RT-PCR respectively, and the inhibitory effects of FK506, CsA and DEX on IL-18 expression were investigated. RESULTS: The expression levels of IL-18 mRNA and its protein in whole blood cell cultures from LN patients were higher than those in normal control group (P<0.01) either spontaneously or after stimulation with LPS/PHA. FK506, CsA and DEX suppressed significantly the expressions of IL-18 mRNA and its protein (P<0.001) in LPS/PHA-stimulated whole blood cell from LN patients. The inhibitory effects of FK506, CsA and DEX on the IL-18 protein expression in LN patients were stronger than that in normal control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSION: IL-18 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of LN and inhibition of IL-18 production may be an useful way to treat LN.
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