LL-37 expression in the skin in systemic lupus erythematosus

作者：Sun, C-L; Zhang, F-Z; Li, P.; Bi, L-Q^*

来源：Lupus, 2011, 20(9): 904-911.

DOI：10.1177/0961203311398515

• IFN-alpha
• LL-37
• pDCs
• skin
• SLE

The objective of this study was to investigate the expression and relationship of LL-37, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in skin in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and their role in SLE pathogenesis. Skin biopsies were taken from nine SLE patients and six healthy volunteers. Expression of LL-37, pDCs and IFN-alpha in skin specimens and consecutive sections of skin was detected with an immunohistochemical technique (IH); the expression of LL-37 and pDCs in the samples was detected with in situ hybridization (ISH). The expression levels of LL-37, pDCs and IFN-alpha were significantly higher in SLE skin than in that of healthy controls (p < 0.001) with either the IH or the ISH technique, and the location of positive expression in consecutive sections was similar. Correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of LL-37, pDCs and IFN-alpha correlated positively with each other. In conclusion, the expression of LL-37, pDCs and IFN-alpha was increased in the skin of patients with active SLE. It is necessary to study further the role of LL-37 in the pathogenesis of SLE, and the exact relationship among LL-37, pDCs and IFN-alpha. Lupus (2011) 20, 904-911.

• 出版日期2011-8
• 单位延边大学; 吉林大学