Gene/Protein
Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Pivot Concepts:
Gene/Protein
Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Target Concepts:
Gene/Protein
Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Query: UMLS:C0409974 (
lupus
)
22,386
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
In systemic
Lupus erythematosus
(SLE) spontaneous hyperreactivity of the cells of the immune system leads to the production of pathogenic autoantibodies. A hyperproliferative state of lymphocytes is indicated by the increased expression of nuclear oncogenes. We investigated the expression of a putative proto-oncogene,
bcl-2
, which is responsible for prolonged survival of lymphocytes and protection from programmed cell death. In 19 of 24 patients with SLE an increased concentration of
bcl-2
mRNA was found in unstimulated circulating blood lymphocytes. The overexpression of the
bcl-2
gene was more pronounced in patients with active SLE. A pathogenic role of increased
bcl-2
expression and prolonged survival of autoimmune memory cells in SLE can be hypothesized.
...
PMID:Transcriptional overexpression of the proto-oncogene bcl-2 in patients with systemic Lupus erythematosus. 152 45
It has been postulated that the high levels of autoantibodies observed in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients could result from abnormal longevity of polyclonally activated B-cells. This increased survival could be due to dysfunction of apoptosis, the normal regulatory process governing their life span. The protein product of the
bcl-2
gene can enhance lymphoid cell survival by interfering with apoptosis. Moreover, transgenic mice overexpressing
bcl-2
in their B-cells developed an autoimmune syndrome resembling SLE. To determine whether overexpression of
bcl-2
occurs in SLE patients,
bcl-2
protein was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 73 SLE patients, 20 healthy individuals and 47 patients with other autoimmune diseases. Only three
lupus
patients had raised levels of
bcl-2
and there were no statistically significant differences in the mean
bcl-2
levels measured in SLE patients compared to controls. Bcl-2 levels did not correlate with overall disease activity in SLE patients.
...
PMID:Bcl-2 expression is unaltered in unfractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. 778 44
Antimalarials are beneficial therapeutic agents in systemic
lupus
and rheumatoid arthritis. These autoimmune diseases have abnormally low apoptosis of inflammatory cells. Both disorders have an abnormal angiogenesis. In the present report, antimalarials were demonstrated to selectively increase apoptosis of HUVECs in vitro. A 24-h exposure to 50 or 150 microM of the drugs was associated with a significant loss of substrate-adherent cells. Chloroquine exhibited an inhibitory effect on HUVEC proliferation over 7 days. Programmed cell death in HUVECs rendered nonadherent by chloroquine was confirmed by the induction of DNA fragmentation in floating cells. Northern blot analysis revealed a rapidly increased expression of the bcl-x(s) gene without any change in the expression of the
bcl-2
gene, indicating that HUVECs under chloroquine were undergoing apoptosis. The onset of the apoptotic cascade in HUVECs appeared shortly after the addition of chloroquine. The effect of chloroquine on apoptosis was distinct from acute cell lysis and was restricted to HUVECs. Antimalarials also induced IL-1alpha production. In parallel, chloroquine alone did not increase the expression of IL-6. Anti-IL-1alpha Ab or IL-1Ra only marginally reversed chloroquine-induced depression of proliferation for the low drug concentration, but not the massive cell death effect at and above 50 microM. Taken together, these data may indicate that antimalarials repress angiogenesis. The autocrine mechanism involving IL-1alpha accounts only for a minor fraction of the full antiendothelial effect of chloroquine, which is mainly dependent on apoptosis.
...
PMID:Mechanisms of action of antimalarials in inflammation: induction of apoptosis in human endothelial cells. 902 28
Proteins cleaved by interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme family proteases during apoptosis are common targets for autoantibody production in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have tested the possibility that proteins phosphorylated in cells undergoing apoptosis are also targets for autoantibody production in patients with autoimmune disease. Sera from 9/12 patients containing antinuclear antibodies (10/12 meeting diagnostic criteria for SLE or a
lupus
overlap syndrome), precipitated new phosphoproteins from lysates derived from Jurkat T cells treated with apoptotic stimuli (i.e., Fas-ligation, gamma irradiation, ultraviolet irradiation), but not with an activation (i.e., CD3-ligation) stimulus. Sera derived from individual patients precipitated different combinations of seven distinct serine-phosphorylated proteins. None of these phosphoproteins were included in precipitates prepared using sera from patients with diseases that are not associated with autoantibody production or using serum from rheumatoid arthritis patients. Protein phosphorylation precedes, or is coincident with, the induction of DNA fragmentation, and is not observed when apoptosis is inhibited by overexpression of
bcl-2
. Serum from four patients precipitated a serine/threonine kinase from apoptotic cell lysates that phosphorylates proteins of 23-, 34-, and 46-kD in in vitro kinase assays. Our results suggest that proteins phosphorylated during apoptosis may be preferred targets for autoantibody production in patients with SLE.
...
PMID:Proteins phosphorylated during stress-induced apoptosis are common targets for autoantibody production in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. 912 Mar 90
Defective regulation of apoptosis may play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, in which the skin is a prominent target. To our knowledge, however, the nature of epidermal changes in cutaneous
lupus erythematosus
(LE) has not previously been investigated. We investigated the involvement of apoptosis in cutaneous LE. A total of 44 lesional skin samples from patients with cutaneous LE, 44 skin samples from patients with scleroderma, five skin specimens from patients suffering from dermatomyositis, and 13 normal skin samples were stained immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies to Ki-67, p53 (DO-7), and
bcl-2
. The lesional skin from cutaneous LE, except LE profundus, showed a marked increase in Ki-67- and p53-positive keratinocytes, which were predominantly located in the basal layer of the epidermis and follicle, and a drastic reduction in the number of
bcl-2
-positive cells localized in the basal cell compartment. With TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling staining, we demonstrated that extensive apoptosis occurred in almost the whole epidermis of cutaneous LE, except in cases of LE profundus. This abnormal expression of Ki-67, p53, and
bcl-2
and the occurrence of apoptosis in the epidermis was also observed in epidermis from patients with dermatomyositis, but not in that from patients with scleroderma.
...
PMID:Apoptosis in the pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. 965 Jun 94
To determine the regulation of B cells specific for the ribonucleoprotein Sm, a target of the immune system in human and mouse
lupus
, we have generated mice carrying an anti-Sm H chain transgene (2-12H). Anti-Sm B cells in nonautoimmune 2-12H-transgenic (Tg) mice are functional, but, in the absence of immunization, circulating anti-Sm Ab levels are not different from those of non-Tg mice. In this report, we compare the regulation of anti-Sm B cells in nonautoimmune and autoimmune MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) and
bcl-2
-22-Tg mice. Activation markers are elevated on splenic and peritoneal anti-Sm B cells of both nonautoimmune and autoimmune genetic backgrounds indicating Ag encounter. Although tolerance to Sm is maintained in 2-12H/
bcl-2
-22-Tg mice, it is lost in 2-12H-Tg MRL/lpr mice, as the transgene accelerates and increases the prevalence of the anti-Sm response. The 2-12H-Tg MRL/lpr mice have transitional anti-Sm B cells in the spleen similar to nonautoimmune mice. However, in contrast to nonautoimmune mice, there are few if any peritoneal anti-Sm B-1 cells. These data suggest that a defect in B-1 differentiation may be a factor in the loss of tolerance to Sm and provide insight into the low prevalence of the anti-Sm response in
lupus
.
...
PMID:Anti-Sm B cell differentiation in Ig transgenic MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice: altered differentiation and an accelerated response. 1129 Aug 16
Cell death by apoptosis is exerted by the coordinated action of many different gene products. Mutations in some of them, acting at different levels in the apoptosis process, have been identified as cause or contributing factor for human diseases. Defects in the transmembrane tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1) lead to the development of familial periodic fever syndromes. Mutations in the homologous receptor Fas (also named CD95; Apo-1) are observed in malignant lymphomas, solid tumors and the autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome type I (ALPS I). A mutation in the ligand for Fas (Fas ligand; CD95 ligand, Apo-1 ligand), which induces apoptosis upon binding to Fas, was described in a patient with systemic
lupus
erythematodes and lymphadenopathy. Perforin, an other cytotoxic protein employed by T- and NK-cells for target cell killing, is mutated in chromosome 10 linked cases of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Caspase 10, a representative of the caspase family of proteases, which plays a central role in the execution of apoptosis, is defect in autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome type II (ALPS II). The intracellular pro-apoptotic molecule bcl-10 is frequently mutated in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas and various non-hematologic malignancies. The p53, an executioner of DNA damage triggered apoptosis, and Bax, a pro-apoptotic molecule with the ability to perturb mitochondrial membrane integrity, are frequently mutated in malignant neoplasms. Anti-apoptotic proteins like
bcl-2
, cellular-inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2 (c-IAP2) and neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein 1 (NAIP1) are often altered in follicular lymphomas, MALT lymphomas and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), respectively. This article reviews the current knowledge on mutations of apoptosis genes involved in the pathogenesis of human diseases and summarises the gradual transformation of discoveries in apoptosis research into benefits for the clinical management of diseases.
...
PMID:Mutations in apoptosis genes: a pathogenetic factor for human disease. 1139 50
The presence of rheumatoid factors (RF) is a characteristic feature of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but not systemic lupus erythematosus. In this study, we have explored the role of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and the Y-linked autoimmune acceleration (Yaa) mutation in the production of IgG RF in comparison with IgG anti-DNA autoimmune responses. Analysis in C57BL/6 mice, in their F1 hybrids with
lupus
-prone NZW mice, and in bone marrow chimeras containing mixtures of C57BL/6
bcl-2
-transgenic and BXSB non-transgenic cells demonstrated that an enforced Bcl-2 expression in B cells promoted the induction of IgG anti-DNA production in these mice, while significant IgG RF responses were observed only in mice developing high levels of gp70-anti-gp70 immune complexes and lethal glomerulonephritis. Moreover, in contrast to a synergistic interaction between the Yaa mutation and Bcl-2 overexpression on IgG anti-DNA production, the Yaa mutation failed to enhance the production of IgG RF induced in
bcl-2
-transgenic mice. Our results reveal that defects in the regulation of B cell apoptosis play a critical role in the production of IgG RF, and that the Yaa mutation differentially modulates RF and anti-DNA autoimmune responses, likely related to the nature of autoantigens involved in each autoimmune response.
...
PMID:Enforced Bcl-2 expression in B lymphocytes induces rheumatoid factor and anti-DNA production, but the Yaa mutation promotes only anti-DNA production. 1504 18
Little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms of IgA nephropathy, despite being the most prevalent form of glomerulonephritis in humans. We report in this study that in (New Zealand White (NZW) x C57BL/6)F(1) mice predisposed to autoimmune diseases, the expression of a human
bcl-2
(hbcl-2) transgene in B cells promotes a CD4-dependent
lupus
-like syndrome characterized by IgG and IgA hypergammaglobulinemia, autoantibody production, and the development of a fatal glomerulonephritis. Histopathological analysis of glomerular lesions reveals that the glomerulonephritis observed in these animals resembles that of human IgA nephropathy. The overexpression of Bcl-2 in B cells selectively enhances systemic IgA immune responses to T-dependent Ags. Significantly, serum IgA purified from (NZW x C57BL/6)F(1)-hbcl-2 transgenic mice, but not from nontransgenic littermates, shows reduced levels of galactosylation and sialylation and an increased ability to deposit in the glomeruli, as observed in human patients with IgA nephropathy. Our results indicate that defects in the regulation of B lymphocyte survival associated with aberrant IgA glycosylation may be critically involved in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy, and that (NZW x C57BL/6)F(1)-hbcl-2 Tg mice provide a new experimental model for this form of glomerulonephritis.
...
PMID:Inhibition of B cell death causes the development of an IgA nephropathy in (New Zealand white x C57BL/6)F(1)-bcl-2 transgenic mice. 1515 42
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded small RNAs (EBERs) are polyA-, non-coding RNAs that are expressed abundantly in all forms of cells latently infected with EBV. EBERs (EBER1 and EBER2) contribute to the clonal proliferation of EBV-negative Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cells in soft agar, tumorigenicity in SCID mice, up-regulation of the
bcl-2
oncoprotein, resistance to apoptosis, and maintenance of malignant phenotypes in BL cells. EBERs induce the expression of interleukin (IL)-10 in BL cells, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) in gastric and nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, IL-9 in T cells, and IL-6 in lymphoblastoid cell lines. Additionally, each of these cytokines acts as an autocrine growth factor. In BL cells, EBERs bind the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase PKR, inhibit its phosphorylation, and thereby prevent IFN-alpha-mediated apoptosis. In epithelial cells, EBERs confer resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis by blocking PKR activity. EBERs form complexes with PKR, ribosomal protein L22,
lupus
erythematosis-associated antigen (La), and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I). In BL cells, EBERs activate RIG-I signaling and induce the expression of type-I IFNs and interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) through the activation of RIG-I substrates, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), and IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3), and anti-inflamatory cytokine IL-10 through IRF-3 but not NF-kappaB signaling. EBERs also play critical roles in the growth transformation of B lymphocytes. Although EBER1 and EBER2 exhibit similarities in their primary (54%) and secondary structures, recent findings have shown that recombinant EBVs carrying only the EBER2 gene play a greater role in the growth transformation of B lymphocytes than EBVs carrying only the EBER1 gene. Thus, EBERs play multiple roles in various cell types, and we present a model that highlights the functions of EBERs in EBV-mediated oncogenesis in BL cells.
...
PMID:Modulation of innate immunity system by Epstein-Barr virus-encoded non-coding RNA and oncogenesis. 1988 12
1