Blockade of Treg Cell Differentiation and Function by the Interleukin-21-Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Axis Via Suppression of Autophagy in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) has become a therapeutic target in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In T cells, mTOR plays a central role in lineage specification, including development of regulatory cells (Treg cells). This study sought to investigate whether mTOR is activated within Treg cells and whether this contributes to the depletion and dysfunction of Treg cells in patients with SLE.

Methods

Activities of mTOR complexes 1 (mTORC1) and 2 (mTORC2) were examined by quantifying phosphorylation of translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1, S6 kinase, and Akt in SLE patients relative to age- and sex-matched female healthy control subjects. Polarization of Treg cells from naive CD4+ T cells was assessed in the presence of interleukin-6 (IL-6

SUBMITTER: Kato H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5826851 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature