MiR-384 is associated with renal damage in lupus nephritis via regulation of TET3 expression

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the correlations between miR-384 expression and renal damage in lupus nephritis (LN).Methods: Lupus nephritis and normal tissues were collected during surgery. The relative miR-384 expression was evaluated by extracting RNA and performing quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays. Expression of ten-eleven translocation (TET3) mRNA and protein were measured by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. The 24-h urine protein, serum complement C3, and serum creatinine were determined using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. TargetScan and luciferase assays were used to validate the binding site for miR-384 and its target mRNA. Relationships among miR-384, TET3, and renal damage were analyzed by Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients.Results: MiR-384 expression increased in LN tissues and was positively correlated with the activity index (AI) and chronicity index of LN, whereas miR-384 expression and serum complement C3 were negatively correlated. Positive correlations were observed between miR-384 expression and 24-h urine protein, serum creatinine, and systemic lupus erythematosus disease AI. TargetScan and luciferaseassays indicated that the TET3 3′-UTR was the direct target of miR-384. MiR-384 upregulation inhibited TET3 mRNA and protein expression, and was negatively associated with renal damage in LN.Conclusion: MiR-384 upregulation contributes to renal damage in LN by targeting the 3′-UTR of TET3 mRNA, suggesting that miR-384 is a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in LN.
 Keywords: MiR-384, Renal damage, Lupus nephritis, Ten-eleven translocation, TET3

A clinical study of mycophenolate mofetil combined with low-dose steroids in the management of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus

“…Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) ranks second on the list of systemic connective tissue diseases which affect children, with the incidence rate on the increase every year. Compared to adults, pediatric SLE (pSLE) is characterized by a more acute onset, and a rapid progression and involvement of multiple organs and systems, which threatens patients' lives [1,2], and lupus nephritis (LN) is an important factor which affects the prognosis [3]. At present, glucocorticoids (GC) remain the first choice for treating SLE, and it also serves as the main medicine used to treat more than 90% of patients with pSLE [4].…”