Elevated integrin αvβ3 expression activates the NF-κB p65/p100 pathway and promotes inflammatory responses in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe autoimmune disease characterised by multi-organ involvement. The onset and progression of SLE are closely associated with the excessive release of various inflammatory factors. Integrin αvβ3, a key member of the integrin protein family, plays an essential role in inflammation. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the NF-κB pathway mediated by integrin αvβ3 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and further investigate its role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Methods: We collected relevant data from 36 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 36 healthy control subjects using. Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining to explore the mechanisms of SE in vivo and in vitro. We used Student's t-test, ANOVA and post-hoc Kruskal-Wallis tests for data analysis.

Results: Our results demonstrate that elevated expression of integrin αvβ3 in the serum, skin, and renal tissues of patients with SLE contributes to the activation of NF-κB, a critical initiator of inflammatory responses in SLE. Specifically, the synthesis of NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p100 is enhanced, promoting NF-κB activation, leading to the dysregulation of TLR7 expression. This induces an increase in inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-6, making organs such as the skin and kidneys more susceptible to inflammation. Moreover, our findings indicate that the administration of the integrin αvβ3 antagonist SB273005 in the MRL/lpr lupus mice model significantly reduces the synthesis of NF-κB p65/p100, suppresses NF-κB activation, decreases levels of inflammatory factors in the serum and kidneys, and alleviates organ damage in MRL/lpr lupus mice.

Conclusions: This study highlights that the upregulation of integrin αvβ3 expression in SLE activates the NF-κB p65/p100 pathway, which plays a pivotal role in orchestrating inflammatory responses.