Menorrhagia: an underappreciated problem in pre-menopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Pathological mechanisms of abnormal iron metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is a chronic, autoimmune condition characterized by the formation of autoantibodies directed against nuclear components and by oxidative stress. Recently, a number of studies have demonstrated the essential role of iron in the immune response and there is growing evidence that abnormal iron homeostasis can occur in the chronic inflammatory state seen in SLE. Not only is iron vital for hematopoiesis, it is also important for a number of other key physiological processes, in particular in maintaining healthy mitochondrial function.

Areas covered: In this review, we highlight the latest understanding with regards to how patients with SLE may be at risk of cellular iron depletion as a result of both absolute and functional iron deficiency. Furthermore, we aim to explain the latest evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Expert opinion: Growing evidence suggests that both abnormal iron homeostasis and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction can impair effector immune cell function. Through a greater understanding of these abnormalities, therapeutic options that directly target iron and mitochondria may ultimately represent novel treatment targets that may translate into clinical care of patients with SLE in the near future.

Intravenous Administration of Toll-Like Receptor Inhibitory Peptide 1 is Effective for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Mus musculus Model

Objective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease According to recent studies, signaling through Toll-like receptor (TLR) protein, which promotes the production of inflammatory cytokines, leads to the development of SLE TLR-inhibitory peptide 1 (TIP1) has been newly identified for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Methods

The effect of TIP1 was analyzed in an SLE mouse model (MRL/lpr) The mice in the control treatment group (n=5) were administered an intravenous injection of phosphate-buffered saline twice weekly, whereas the mice in the TIP1 treatment group (n=6) were administered an intravenous injection of TIP1 (1 nmol/g) twice weekly MRL/mpj mice (n=5) were selected as normal controls The mice were injected for 4 weeks between 14 and 18 weeks of age, followed by assays of their spleen, kidneys, lymph nodes, serum, and urine.

Results

The antinuclear antibody and inflammatory cytokine (interferon-α) in the serum as well as levels of albumin in the urine of the mice in the TIP1 treatment group had decreased when compared to those of mice in the control treatment group Kidney inflammation in mice in the TIP1 treatment group was alleviated The mRNA expression levels of TLR7- or TLR9-related downstream signaling molecules also decreased in all organs of the mice in the TIP1 treatment group.

Conclusion

Intravenous treatment with TIP1 reduces symptoms and markers of inflammation in MRL/lpr mice Hence, TIP1 is a promising medication for the treatment of SLE.