The Influence Of UVB Irradiation On Autophagy Related Protein And Gene Expression Levels In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

[Objective] Study the effects of UVB irradiation on autophagy in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of SLE patients, and elucidate the relationship between UVB irradiation and autophagy on SLE.[Methods] RT-qPCR and Western blotting techniques were used to measure the expression levels of the autophagy associated markers (Uvrag, Beclinl and LC3-Ⅱ)in peripheral mononuclear cells of patients with active SLE. Statistical analysis was performed on the study results to elucidate the relationship between the measured markers, as well as the likely pathogenetic mechanisms involving autophagy in active SLE.[Results] 1.The results using RT-qPCR revealed:A. There were no detectable differences in LC3Ⅱ, Beclin 1 and Uvrag mRNA expression levels between SLE patients and the normal control group prior to UVB exposure. B. The levels of LC3Ⅱ, Beclin 1 and Uvrag mRNA expression in UVB-exposed active SLE patients were significant higher than those in SLE patients prior to UVB exposure. Although there were detectable increases in levels of LC3Ⅱ, Beclin 1 and Uvrag mRNA expression in the normal control group after UVB exposure, this difference did not achieve statistical significance. C. The level of LC3Ⅱ mRNA expression in SLE patients after UVB exposure was significant higher than in the UVB-exposed normal control group.2. The results using Western blotting revealed:Although the levels of LC3Ⅱ, Beclin 1 and Uvrag protein expression in SLE patients was slightly higher than those in the normal control group prior to UVB exposure, this difference did not achieve statistical significance between the two groups; The levels of LC3 Ⅱ, Beclin 1 and Uvrag protein expression in UVB-exposed patients with active SLE were higher compared to those in patients with active SLE without prior UVB exposure; with the differences in the levels of Uvrag and Beclin 1 protein between the two groups achieving statistical significance (P<0.05); the levels of LC3 Ⅱ、Beclin 1 and Uvrag protein expression in patients with active SLE after UVB exposure were higher compared to the UVB-exposed normal control group, with only the difference in the levels of LC3 Ⅱ proteins between the two groups achieving statistical significance (P<0.05); when compared with the normal control group without prior UVB exposure, the levels of LC3 Ⅱ、Beclin 1 and Uvrag protein expression in patients with active SLE after UVB exposure was significant higher (P<0.05)[Conclusions] Autophagy occurs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with active SLE. UVB irradiation may be implicated in the abnormal activation of autophagy in patients with active SLE. Autophagy related genes and associated protein expression are likely involved in the process of autophagy occurring in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in this particular patient population.