Project description:In this study, miRNA expression in splenic lymphocytes from three genetically disparate lupus-prone mouse models (MRL-lpr, B6-lpr and NZB/WF1) were profiled. 49 miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in MRL-lpr mice compared to MRL mice; and 24 miRNAs were differentially expressed in B6-lpr mice compared to B6 mice. Among these dysregulated miRNAs, we noted that 15 miRNAs were common to both lpr strains. Interestingly, microarray analysis of NZB/W and NZW at 3 months of age, an age when overt lupus disease is not evident in NZB/W mice, revealed that only one miRNA, miR-148a was significantly upregulated in NZB/W mice. The aim of this porject is to determine the common miRNA expression changes in splenocytes from different strains of murine lupus models. The splenocytes were prepared from genetically lupus-prone female mice including MRL/MpJ-Faslpr/J (MRL-lpr), NZBWF1/J (NZB/W), B6.MRL-Faslpr/J (B6-lpr) and their control mice MRL/MpJ (MRL), NZW/LacJ (NZW) and C57BL/6J (B6) mice (The Jackson laboratory, ME). Total RNAs, containing miRNAs were isolated from whole splenocytes using mirVana miRNA isolation kits (Ambion) following manufactory’s instructions and sent to LC Sciences (http://www.lcsciences.com/) for the microarray assay. The mouse miRNA array chips (Chip ID miRMouse 12.0 version), which included 617 unique, mature, mouse miRNA, based on the Sanger miRBase Release 12.0, were used in the assay.
Project description:Objectives. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by multi-organ dysfunction. Neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) occurs in 30~40% of patients with lupus and is the most severe presentation of SLE, frequently resulting in limitation of daily life. Recent studies have shown that microglia, tissue-resident macrophages in the central nervous system, are involved in the pathogenesis of NPSLE. Herein, we explored new therapeutic targets for NPSLE focusing on microglia. Methods. RNA sequencing of microglia in MRL/lpr, lupus-prone mice, as well as that of microglia cultured in vitro with cytokines were performed. A candidate gene, which could be a therapeutic target for NPSLE, was identified and its role on microglial activation and phagocytosis was investigated using specific inhibitors and siRNA. The effect of intracerebroventricular administration of the inhibitor on the behavioural abnormalities of MRL/lpr was also evaluated. Results. Transcriptome analysis revealed the upregulation of Ikbke, which encodes the inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase epsilon (IKBKE) in both microglia from MRL/lpr mice and cytokine-stimulated microglia in vitro. Intracerebroventricular administration of an IKBKE inhibitor ameliorated cognitive function and suppressed microglial activation in MRL/lpr mice. Mechanistically, IKBKE inhibition reduced glycolysis, which dampened microglial activation and phagocytosis. Conclusions. These findings suggest that IKBKE plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of NPSLE via microglial activation, and it could serve as a therapeutic target for NPSLE.
Project description:In this study, miRNA expression in splenic lymphocytes from three genetically disparate lupus-prone mouse models (MRL-lpr, B6-lpr and NZB/WF1) were profiled. 49 miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in MRL-lpr mice compared to MRL mice; and 24 miRNAs were differentially expressed in B6-lpr mice compared to B6 mice. Among these dysregulated miRNAs, we noted that 15 miRNAs were common to both lpr strains. Interestingly, microarray analysis of NZB/W and NZW at 3 months of age, an age when overt lupus disease is not evident in NZB/W mice, revealed that only one miRNA, miR-148a was significantly upregulated in NZB/W mice.
Project description:Up to 75% of systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients experience neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms, called neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE), yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Microglia control synaptic pruning during early postnatal brain development. The process in NPSLE remains unclear. Here, we show that microglia-coordinated elimination of synaptic terminals participated in NPSLE in MRL/lpr mice, a lupus-prone murine model. We elucidated that lupus mice developed increased depression- and anxiety-like behaviors and persistent phagocytic microglia reactivation before overt peripheral lupus pathology. Microglial engulfment of synapses explained behavioral disorders. To elucidate the mechanism of synaptic pruning by microglia, we sequenced the gene expression in sorted microglia from both lupus (MRL/lpr) mice and the wild-type (MRL/mpj) controls.
Project description:Our previous study demonstrated a significant upregulation of a large set of miRNAs at the genomic imprinted Dlk1-Dio3 locus in lymphocytes of diverse murine lupus-prone strains. The upregulation of Dlk1-Dio3 miRNAs in lupus-prone mice is correlated with the global DNA hypomethylation. In this study, by performing genome-wide DNA methylation analysis, we reported that Dlk1-Dio3 genomic region in CD4+ T cells of MRL/lpr mice was hypomethylated, further linking hypomethylation to the increased expression of Dlk1-Dio3 miRNAs in lupus. Then, we assessed the gene expression levels of enzymes that either write (DNA methyltransferases, DNMTs) or erase DNA methylation (Ten-eleven translation proteins, TETs) to understand the molecular contributor to the DNA hypomethylation in MRL/lpr CD4+ T cells. The expression levels of Dnmt1, Dnmt3b, Tet1, and Tet2 were significantly increased in CD4+ T cells of MRL/lpr mice, as well as in B6/lpr and B6.sle123 mice, compared to their respective control mice. These data indicate the significant involvement of the TETs-mediated active demethylation pathway rather than reduced DNMTs-mediated passive demethylation pathway in the hypomethylation of murine lupus CD4+ T cells. The transcription factor, early growth response 2 (EGR2) is critically involved in regulating T cell functions and autoimmunity. In this research, we found that Egr2 deletion in B6/lpr mice notably reduced methylation-sensitive Dlk1-Dio3 cluster miRNAs expression in CD4+ T cells. Surprisingly, even though EGR2 has been shown to induce DNA demethylation by recruiting TET2, we found that deleting Egr2 in B6/lpr mice induced a higher number of hypomethylated DMRs than hypermethylated DMRs at either whole genome or the Dlk1-Dio3 locus in CD4+ T cells of B6/lpr mice. These data are the first finding on the positive role of EGR2 on the expression of Dlk1-Dio3 cluster miRNAs in lupus mice. Given that Dlk1-Dio3 miRNAs target the major signaling pathways in autoimmunity, these data provide a new perspective in understanding the potential pathogenic role of upregulated EGR2 in lupus.
Project description:TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its cognate receptor Fn14 have been shown to play an important role in neurocognitive dysfunction in murine lupus. We profiled and compared gene expression in the hippocampi of MRL/+, MRL/lpr and MRL/lpr-Fn14 knockout (Fn14ko) adult female mice to determine the transcriptomic impact of TWEAK/Fn14 on hippocampal gene expression in lupus. We found that the TWEAK/Fn14 pathway strongly affects the expression level, variability and coordination of the genomic fabrics responsible for neurotransmission and chemokine signaling. Dysregulation of the PI3K-Akt pathway in the MRL/lpr lupus strain compared with the MRL/+ control and Fn14ko mice was particularly prominent and therefore promising as a potential therapeutic target, although the complexity of the transcriptomic fabric highlights important considerations in in vivo experimental models.
Project description:Cognitive dysfunction and mood changes are prevalent and especially taxing issues to patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its cognate receptor Fn14 have been shown to play an important role in neurocognitive dysfunction in murine lupus. We profiled and compared gene expression in the cortices of MRL/+, MRL/lpr and MRL/lpr-Fn14 knockout (Fn14ko) adult female mice to determine the transcriptomic impact of TWEAK/Fn14 on cortical gene expression in lupus. We found that the TWEAK/Fn14 pathway strongly affects the expression level, variability and coordination of the genomic fabrics responsible for neurotransmission and chemokine signaling. Dysregulation of the PI3K-Akt pathway in the MRL/lpr lupus strain compared with the MRL/+ control and Fn14ko mice was particularly prominent and therefore promising as a potential therapeutic target, although the complexity of the transcriptomic fabric highlights important considerations in in vivo experimental models.
Project description:Autoreactive B cells expressing two different immunoglobulin light chains are present in elevated numbers in a subset of systemic lupus erythematosus patients and in MRL and MRL/lpr mouse models of lupus. Using RNAseq and genetic pathway analyses together with in vitro studies we demonstrate a role for TLR and IFN signaling in MRL/lpr dual-κ B cell expansion and/or activation. Dual-κ cells also showed increased expression of co-receptors used for T cell cognate interaction as well as enrichment of pathways involved in their signaling. Overall, our studies identify molecular pathways involved in the enrichment of dual-reactive effector B cells and reveal potential targets for their selective ablation in autoimmunity.
Project description:To identify any differentially expressed miRNAs in the CD4+ T cells of lupus. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated as fine-tuning regulators controlling diverse biological processes at the level of posttranscriptional repression. Dysregulation of miRNAs has been described in various disease states, including human lupus. By using high-throughput microRNA profiling analysis, we identified that two miRNAs (miR-21 and miR-148a) overexpressed in CD4+ T cells from both lupus patients and lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice,which promote cell hypomethylation by repressing DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) expression. We isolated the splenic CD4+ T cells and B cells from MRL/lpr mice at 5 and 16 weeks of age.Cells were collected and total RNA was extracted for the TaqMan® Low Density Assay v2.0 Normalization was performed with snoRNA202, reference snRNAs for mouse.Comparative real-time PCR was performed in triplicate, including no-template.controls. Relative expression was calculated with the comparative cycle threshold method.