Altered methylation-related genes expression in B cells of systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Abstract

Background and objective

B cells contribute to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis through autoantibody production. DNA hypomethylation in B cells is a hallmark of SLE and may be associated with altered expression of key epigenetic regulators. This study investigated the mRNA expression of DNMT1 and UHRF1, which maintain DNA methylation, and TET2 and TET3, which mediate demethylation, in B cells from SLE patients.

Methods

Participants included individuals with active SLE, inactive SLE, and healthy controls. Purified B cells were stimulated in vitro with anti-human IgM. Gene expression of DNMT1, UHRF1, TET2, and TET3 was quantified by qRT-PCR

Results

At baseline, UHRF1 mRNA expression was significantly decreased, and TET3 expression significantly increased in B cells from active SLE patients compared to controls. Upon anti-IgM activation, further reductions in UHRF1 and increases in TET3 expression were observed in active SLE B cells. DNMT1 and TET2 expression did not differ significantly across groups or conditions.

Conclusion

The altered expression of UHRF1 and TET3 mRNA in B cells from active SLE patients may reflect underlying epigenetic dysregulation associated with disease activity. These findings provide preliminary support for further investigation into their potential involvement in the pathobiology of SLE.