Work

Comparison of TLR4, NF-κB and IRF3 expression in kidney tissue between lupus nephritis (LN) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a pristane-induced lupus mice model study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with SLE, a complex autoimmune disease characterised by loss of tolerance to self-nuclear antigens. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), the first line of defence in the innate immune system, has been linked to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and LN by activating nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) or interferon regulatory transcription factor 3 (IRF3). Local expression of those biomarkers in pristane-induced lupus mice is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to prove the role of TLR4, NF-κB and IRF3 in pristane-induced lupus mice. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study subjects were female Balb/c pristane-induced lupus mice model, 8-12 weeks of age, n=30, divided into two groups, nephritis (LN group) and non-nephritis (SLE group). The control group were age-matched healthy female Balb/c mice, n=11. All mice were euthanised at weeks 16. Kidney tissue was taken for histopathology examination and TLR4, NF-κB, IRF3 immunofluorescence assay. The diagnosis of LN was based on proteinuria and histopathology examination according to the ISN/RPS 2004 classification of LN. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics V.25. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: =0.896; β=0.947, which means TLR4 had an 81.7% effect on NF-κB and 89.6% on IRF3 expression. CONCLUSION: TLR4, NF-κB and IRF3 expression were increased in lupus, with the highest expression found in the LN group, suggesting that these biomarkers may be responsible for the development of nephritis in SLE, with TLR4 likely playing a dominant role in this pathway. Increased expression of these biomarkers in lupus without nephritis may indicate progression towards nephritis, which still needs to be proven with further research.

Source: Lupus Science & Medicine

DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2024-001445

Authors: Yuswanto Setyawan, Hani Susianti, Nur Samsu, Loeki Enggar Fitri

Institution: University of Brawijaya

Language: English

Topic: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research

Subfield: Rheumatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,391