Overexpression of microRNA-155 increases IL-21 mediated STAT3 signaling and IL-21 production in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis research & therapy Rasmussen, T. K., Andersen, T., Bak, R. O., Yiu, G., Sørensen, C. M., Stengaard-Pedersen, K., Mikkelsen, J. G., Utz, P. J., Holm, C. K., Deleuran, B. 2015; 17: 154-?

Abstract

Interleukin (IL-)21 is a key cytokine in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by its regulation of autoantibody production and inflammatory responses. The objective of this study is to investigate the signaling capacity of IL-21 in T and B cells and assess its possible regulation by microRNA (miR)-155 and its target gene suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) in SLE.The signaling capacity of IL-21 was quantified by stimulating peripheral blood monocuclear cells (PBMCs) with IL-21 and measuring phosphorylation of STAT3 (pSTAT3) in CD4+ T cells, B cells, and NK cells. Induction of miR-155 by IL-21 was investigated by stimulating purified CD4+ T cells with IL-21 and measuring miR-155 expression levels. The functional role of miR-155 was assessed by overexpressing miR-155 in PBMCs from SLE patients and healthy controls (HCs) and measuring its effects on STAT3 and IL-21 production in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.Induction of pSTAT3 in CD4+ T cells in response to IL-21 was significantly decreased in SLE patients compared to HCs (p?

View details for DOI 10.1186/s13075-015-0660-z

View details for PubMedID 26055806