Higher IgG level correlated with vitamin D receptor in the hippocampus of a pristane-induced lupus model
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Published on: December 9, 2015
Thaís Evelyn Karnopp1,2,3, Eduarda Correa Freitas4,5, Alexandre Rieger6
1Laboratory of Autoimmune Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Centro de Pesquisas Experimentais, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, sala 12109, Porto Alegre, 90035-003, Brazil. tekarnopp@gmail.com.
Introduction/Objectives:
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may have neurological complications, characterizing neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). Studies have investigated alternative therapies such as vitamin D, which has an effect on the immune system and brain, to control manifestations of SLE. Experimental lupus models may be a good alternative to best study the immunological mechanisms underlying the development of NPSLE, and the animal model of pristane-induced lupus (PIL) may mimic SLE symptoms in humans. Our objective was to evaluate central nervous system involvement and vitamin D supplementation in a PIL model.
Method:
Female BALB/c mice were divided into controls (CO; n = 7), PIL (n = 9), and PIL supplemented with vitamin D (VD; n = 7). The hippocampus area was measured and immunoassays were performed for detecting vitamin D receptor (VDR) and IgG.
Results:
The PIL group had a higher hippocampal IgG infiltrate when compared to the CO group. Vitamin D showed potential for reducing IgG infiltration. The hippocampus area was similar in all groups. No differences in VDR expression were observed between groups. A positive correlation was observed between the expression of VDR and IgG in the hippocampus.
Conclusion:
Our data suggest that increased IgG infiltration into the hippocampus indicated an inflammatory process that may have stimulated VDR expression. Key Points • IgG infiltrate is higher in PIL animals than controls • VDR increases along with IgG infiltrate • Hippocampal VDR expression does not increase with vitamin D supplementation.
