Transcription of human resistin gene involves an interaction of Sp1 with peroxisome proliferator-activating receptor gamma (PPARgamma)

Activation of Genes by Nuclear Receptor/Specificity Protein (Sp) Interactions in Cancer

The human nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily consists of 48 genes that are ligand-activated transcription factors that play a key role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and in pathophysiology. NRs are important drug targets for both cancer and non-cancer endpoints as ligands for these receptors can act as agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists to modulate gene expression. With two exceptions, the classical mechanism of action of NRs involves their interactions as monomers, dimers or heterodimers with their cognate response elements (cis-elements) in target gene promoters. Several studies showed that a number of NR-regulated genes did not directly bind their corresponding cis-elements and promoter analysis identified that NR-responsive gene promoters contained GC-rich sequences that bind specificity protein 1 (Sp1), Sp3 and Sp4 transcription factors (TFs). This review is focused on identifying an important sub-set of Sp-regulated genes that are indirectly coregulated through interactions with NRs. Subsequent studies showed that many NRs directly bind Sp1 (or Sp3 and Sp4), the NR/Sp complexes bind GC-rich sites to regulate gene expression and the NR acts as a ligand-modulated nuclear cofactor. In addition, several reports show that NR-responsive genes contain cis-elements that bind both Sp TFs and NRs, and mutation of either cis-element results in loss of NR-responsive (inducible and/or basal). Regulation of these genes involves interactions between DNA-bound Sp TFs with proximal or distal DNA-bound NRs, and, in some cases, other nuclear cofactors are required for gene expression. Thus, many NR-responsive genes are regulated by NR/Sp complexes, and these genes can be targeted by ligands that target NRs and also by drugs that induce degradation of Sp1, Sp3 and Sp4.

Circulating resistin levels and mutation burden of the RETN gene variants predict long-term mortality in a Taiwanese population

Human resistin is a proinflammatory cytokine involving the development and progression of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, prediction of long-term outcome using circulating resistin level and its genetic determinants in a population-based study remain to be explored. After genome-wide association study (GWAS), DNA methylation (DNAm) analysis and functional assays of a RETN rs370006313 variant, we tested whether resistin level and its genetic determinants can be used to determine the long-term outcomes of 5678 Taiwan Biobank (TWB) participants. GWAS and DNAm analysis revealed RETN variants, rs3219175, rs370006313, and rs3745368, and DNAm sites, cg21271423 and cg09909011, independently associated with circulating resistin levels. Functional assays showed rs370006313 variant played a key role in affecting RETN promoter activity, whereas genotypes of rs3219175 and rs3745368, but not rs370006313, exhibited genome-wide significant associations with RETN promoter DNAm levels. Using Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses, participants with progressively increasing resistin levels had a higher hazard ratio for all-cause mortality and cancer mortality compared to those with lower resistin levels. Participants with all three RETN variants (high mutation burden) also exhibited significantly higher hazard ratios for all-cause mortality and cancer mortality, at 3.99 and 5.55, respectively, compared to those without a high mutation burden. In conclusion, RETN rs370006313 is a functional variant affecting RETN promoter activity. Elevated circulating resistin levels and a high RETN mutation burden predict all-cause and cancer mortality in TWB participants. Both resistin levels and RETN variants may serve as biomarkers of long-term outcomes in the general Taiwanese populations.

The Modulation of Septic Shock: A Proteomic Approach

Sepsis poses a significant challenge due its lethality, involving multiple organ dysfunction and impaired immune responses. Among several factors affecting sepsis, monocytes play a crucial role; however, their phenotype, proteomic profile, and function in septic shock remain unclear. Our aim was to fully characterize the subpopulations and proteomic profiles of monocytes seen in septic shock cases and discuss their possible impact on the disease. Peripheral blood monocyte subpopulations were phenotype based on CD14/CD16 expression by flow cytometry, and proteins were extracted from the monocytes of individuals with septic shock and healthy controls to identify changes in the global protein expression in these cells. Analysis using 2D-nanoUPLC-UDMSE identified 67 differentially expressed proteins in shock patients compared to controls, in which 44 were upregulated and 23 downregulated. These proteins are involved in monocyte reprogramming, immune dysfunction, severe hypotension, hypo-responsiveness to vasoconstrictors, vasodilation, endothelial dysfunction, vascular injury, and blood clotting, elucidating the disease severity and therapeutic challenges of septic shock. This study identified critical biological targets in monocytes that could serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of septic shock, providing new insights into the pathophysiology of the disease.

ABA Supplementation Rescues IRS2 and BDNF mRNA Levels in a Triple-Transgenic Mice Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Insulin resistance underlies Alzheimer's disease (AD) by affecting neuroinflammation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Here, we evaluated the effect of early and late-start abscisic acid (ABA) intervention on hippocampal BDNF, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and insulin receptors substrates (IRS) 1/2 mRNA levels in a triple-transgenic mice model of AD. Transgenic mice displayed lower BDNF and IRS2, equal IRS1, and higher TNFα expression compared to wild-type mice. Late ABA treatment could rescue TNFα and increased IRS1/2 expression. However, early ABA administration was required to increase BDNF expression. Our data suggests that early intervention with ABA can prevent AD, via rescuing IRS1/2 and BDNF expression.

P38 MAPK pathway regulates the expression of resistin in porcine alveolar macrophages via Ets2 during Haemophilus parasuis stimulation

Haemophilus parasuis is a widespread bacterial pathogen causing acute systemic inflammation and leading to the sudden death of piglets. Resistin, a multifunctional peptide hormone previously demonstrated to influence the inflammation in porcine, was extremely increased in H. parasuis-infected tissues. However, the mechanism of resistin expression regulation in porcine, especially during pathogen infection, remains unclear. In the present study, we explored for the first time the transcription factor and signaling pathway mediating the expression of pig resistin during H. parasuis stimulation. We found that H. parasuis induced the expression of pig resistin in a time- and dose-dependent manner via the transcription factor Ets2 in porcine alveolar macrophages during H. parasuis stimulation. Moreover, the expression of Ets2 was mediated by the activation of the p38 MAPK pathway induced by H. parasuis, thus promoting resistin production. These results revealed a novel view of the molecular mechanism of pig resistin production during acute inflammation induced by pathogenic bacteria.

Resistin: Potential biomarker and therapeutic target in atherosclerosis

Resistin, a cysteine-rich secretory protein, has a pleiotropic role in humans. Resistin usually presents as trimer or hexamer in plasma, and targets specific receptors Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) or Adenylyl Cyclase-Associated Protein 1 (CAP1). Upon binding to TLR4 and CAP1, resistin can trigger various intracellular signal transduction pathways to induce vascular inflammation, lipid accumulation, and plaque vulnerability. These pro-atherosclerotic effects of resistin appear in various cell types, including endothelial cells, vessel smooth muscle cells and macrophages, which cause diverse damages to cardiovascular system from dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis rupture and ventricular remodeling. In this review, we gather recent evidence about the pro- atherosclerotic effects of resistin and highlight it as a candidate therapeutic or diagnostic target for cardiovascular disease.

Resistin expression in human monocytes is controlled by two linked promoter SNPs mediating NFKB p50/p50 binding and C-methylation

Resistin is a key cytokine associated with metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Especially in East Asian populations, the expression levels are strongly influenced by genetic polymorphisms. Mechanisms and functional implications of this genetic control are still unknown. By employing reporter assays, EMSA, inhibition studies, bisulphite sequencing, ChIP-Seq and gene-editing we show that the p50/p50 homodimer known to act as repressor for a number of pro-inflammatory genes plays a central role in the genetic regulation of resistin in monocytes along with promoter methylation. In the common RETN haplotype p50/p50 constitutively dampens the expression by binding to the promoter. In an Asian haplotype variant however this interaction is disrupted by the A allele of rs3219175. The SNP is in very close linkage to rs34861192, a CpG SNP, located 280 bp upstream which provides an allele-specific C-methylation site. rs34861192 is located in a 100 bp region found to be methylated in the common but not in the Asian haplotype, resulting in the latter having a higher basal expression, which also associates with elevated histone acetylation (H3K27ac). Genotype associations within cohort data of 200 East Asian individuals revealed significant associations between this haplotype and the plasma levels of factors such as TGF-b, S100B, sRAGE and IL-8 as well as with myeloid DC counts. Thus, the common RETN haplotype is tightly regulated by the epigenetic mechanism linked to p50/p50-binding. This control is lost in the Asian haplotype, which may have evolved to balance the antagonistic RETN effects on pathogen protection vs. metabolic and inflammatory disease induction.

Critical role of IL-1α in IL-1β-induced inflammatory responses: cooperation with NF-κBp65 in transcriptional regulation

The IL-1 cytokines are considered among the first family of cytokines that orchestrate acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Both IL-1β and IL-1α are members of the IL-1 family; however, their distinct roles in the inflammatory processes remain poorly understood. We explored the role of IL-1α in IL-1β-activated signaling pathways causing synovial inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Using synovial fibroblasts isolated from RA joints, we found that IL-1β significantly stimulated IL-1α expression, which was selectively inhibited by blocking the NF-κB pathway. Knockdown of IL-1α using small interfering RNA abolished IL-1β-induced pro-IL-1α and pro-IL-1β expression and suppressed inflammation. Native and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies showed that IL-1α cooperates in NF-κBp65 binding to the distal region of IL-1α promoter and to the proximal region of IL-1β promoter upstream of the transcription start site to stabilize their gene transcription. Molecular dynamics simulation of IL-1α or IL-1β binding to IL-1 receptor showed distinct interaction sites that corroborate with the ability of IL-1α to differentially activate phosphorylation of signaling proteins compared with IL-1β. Our study highlights the importance of IL-1α in mediating IL-1β-induced inflammation in addition to maintaining its expression and providing a rationale for targeting IL-1α to minimize the role of IL-1β in inflammatory diseases like RA.-Singh, A. K., Fechtner, S., Chourasia, M., Sicalo, J., Ahmed, S. Critical role of IL-1α in IL-1β-induced inflammatory responses: cooperation with NF-κBp65 in transcriptional regulation.

Serum Resistin Level and Progression of Atherosclerosis during Glucocorticoid Therapy for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

Adipokines are important regulators of several processes, including inflammation and atherosclerosis. In patients with systemic autoimmune diseases, atherosclerosis is accelerated with higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We prospectively investigated the association of adipokines and glucocorticoid therapy with progression of premature atherosclerosis in 38 patients starting glucocorticoid therapy for systemic autoimmune diseases. To detect premature atherosclerosis, carotid ultrasonography was performed at initiation of glucocorticoid therapy and after a mean three-year follow-up period. The ankle-brachial pressure index and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) were measured. Serum adipokine levels were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Twenty-three patients (60.5%) had carotid artery plaque at baseline. The carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) increased significantly during follow-up. Glucocorticoids reduced the serum resistin level, while increasing serum leptin and high molecular weight-adiponectin. There was slower progression of atherosclerosis (carotid IMT and CAVI) at follow-up in patients with greater reduction of serum resistin and with higher cumulative prednisolone dose. In conclusion, progression of premature atherosclerosis occurred at an early stage of systemic autoimmune diseases before initiation of glucocorticoid therapy. Since resistin, an inflammation and atherosclerosis related adipokine, is reduced by glucocorticoids, glucocortidoid therapy may not accelerate atherosclerosis in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.

Identification of Pathway-Specific Serum Biomarkers of Response to Glucocorticoid and Infliximab Treatment in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

OBJECTIVE

Serum biomarkers may serve to predict early response to therapy, identify relapse, and facilitate drug development in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Biomarkers are particularly important in children, in whom achieving early remission and minimizing procedures are especially beneficial.

METHODS

We profiled protein and micro RNA (miRNA) in serum from patients pre- and post-therapy, to identify molecular markers of pharmacodynamic effect. Serum was obtained from children with IBD before and after treatment with either corticosteroids (prednisone; n=12) or anti-tumor necrosis factor-α biologic (infliximab; n=7). Over 1,100 serum proteins were assayed using aptamer-based SOMAscan proteomics, and 22 miRNAs analyzed by quantitative real time PCR. Concordance of longitudinal changes between the groups was used to identify markers responsive to treatment. Bioinformatic analysis was used to build insight into mechanisms of changes in response to treatment.

RESULTS

We identified 18 proteins and three miRNAs responsive to both prednisone and infliximab. Eight markers that decreased are associated with inflammation and have gene promoters regulated by nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Several that increased are associated with resolving inflammation and tissue damage. We also identified six markers that appear to be steroid-specific, three of which have glucocorticoid receptor binding elements in their promoter region.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum markers regulated by the inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB are potential candidates for pharmacodynamic biomarkers that, if correlated with later outcomes like endoscopic or histologic healing, could be used to monitor treatment, optimize dosing, and enhance drug development. The pharmacodynamic biomarkers identified here hold potential to improve both clinical care and drug development. Further studies are warranted to investigate these markers as early predictors of response, or possibly surrogate outcomes.

WITHDRAWN: Emodin increases expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 through activation of MEK/ERK/AMPKα and interaction of PPARγ and Sp1 in lung cancer

Due to an error in the publishing process, this article has been withdrawn at the request of the editors. We wish to clarify that this is in no way related to the integrity of the authors. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

In vitro interaction between resistin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ in porcine ovarian follicles

In the present study, using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting methods, we quantified the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, PPARα and PPARβ in different sized ovarian follicles (small (SF), medium (MF) and large (LF) follicles) in prepubertal and adult pigs. In prepubertal pigs, PPARγ and PPARα expression was highest in LF; however, PPARβ expression did not differ among SF, MF and LF. In mature pigs, only protein expression of PPARγ and PPARα increased during ovarian follicle development. Following identification of very high levels of PPARγ expression in LF in prepubertal and adult pigs, using in vitro culture of ovarian follicles, we determined the effect of resistin at 0.1, 1 and 10 ng mL–1 on PPARγ mRNA and protein expression and the effect of rosiglitazone at 25 and 50 µM (a PPARγ agonist) on resistin mRNA and protein expression. Resistin increased PPARγ expression in ovarian follicles in both prepubertal and adult pigs, whereas rosiglitazone had an inhibitory effect on resistin expression. The role of PPARγ in regulating the effects of resistin on ovarian steroidogenesis was investigated using GW9662 (a PPARγ antagonist at dose of 1 μM). In these studies, GW9662 reversed the effect of resistin on steroid hormone secretion. The data suggest that there is local cooperation between resistin and PPARγ expression in the porcine ovary. Resistin significantly increased the expression of PPARγ, whereas PPARγ decreased resistin expression; thus, PPARγ is a new key regulator of resistin expression and function.

PPARγ stimulates expression of L-type amino acid and taurine transporters in human placentas: the evidence of PPARγ regulating fetal growth

Placental amino acid transporters and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have been implicated to placental development and therefore regulation of fetal growth. We analyzed the correlation between the expression of amino acid transporters and PPARs and investigated whether PPARs control the expression of amino acid transporters in placentas. It was found that protein expression of PPARγ and L-type amino acid transporter 1(LAT1) and 2 (LAT2) was decreased in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) placentas. LAT1, LAT2 and taurine transporter (TAUT) expression correlated to PPARγ level and birth weight. In cultured placental cells, PPARγ agonist stimulated LAT1 and LAT2 and TAUT, which was reversed by PPARγ siRNA. PPARγ up-regulation of LAT1 and TAUT was through specificity protein 1 (Sp-1) while stimulation of LAT2 expression was via induction of gene transcription. Our data suggest that PPARγ, SP-1, LAT1 and LAT2 in placentas are involved in control of fetal growth. PPARγ signaling pathway may be the therapeutic target for intrauterine growth restriction.

Sp1 and the 'hallmarks of cancer'

For many years, transcription factor Sp1 was viewed as a basal transcription factor and relegated to a role in the regulation of so-called housekeeping genes. Identification of Sp1's role in recruiting the general transcription machinery in the absence of a TATA box increased its importance in gene regulation, particularly in light of recent estimates that the majority of mammalian genes lack a TATA box. In this review, we briefly consider the history of Sp1, the founding member of the Sp family of transcription factors. We review the evidence suggesting that Sp1 is highly regulated by post-translational modifications that positively and negatively affect the activity of Sp1 on a wide array of genes. Sp1 is over-expressed in many cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. Targeting Sp1 in cancer treatment has been suggested; however, our review of the literature on the role of Sp1 in the regulation of genes that contribute to the 'hallmarks of cancer' illustrates the extreme complexity of Sp1 functions. Sp1 both activates and suppresses the expression of a number of essential oncogenes and tumor suppressors, as well as genes involved in essential cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, the DNA damage response, apoptosis, senescence and angiogenesis. Sp1 is also implicated in inflammation and genomic instability, as well as epigenetic silencing. Given the apparently opposing effects of Sp1, a more complete understanding of the function of Sp1 in cancer is required to validate its potential as a therapeutic target.

Resistin: insulin resistance to malignancy

Adipose tissue is recognized as an endocrine organ that secretes bioactive substances known as adipokines. Excess adipose tissue and adipose tissue dysfunction lead to dysregulated adipokine production that can contribute to the development of obesity-related co-morbidities. Among the various adipokines, resistin, which was initially considered as a determinant of the emergence of insulin resistance in obesity, has appeared as an important link between obesity and inflammatory processes. Several experimental and clinical studies have suggested an association between increased resistin levels and severe conditions associated with obesity such as cardiovascular disease and malignancies. In this review, we present the growing body of evidence that human resistin is an inflammatory biomarker and potential mediator of obesity-associated diseases. A common pathway seems to involve the combined alteration of immune and inflammatory processes that favor metabolic disturbances, atherosclerosis and carcinogenesis. The mode of action and the signaling pathways utilized by resistin in its interactions with target cells could involve oxidative and nitrosative stress. Therefore, resistin could function as a key molecule in the complications of obesity development and could potentially be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker.

Reduced expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in preeclamptic placentas is associated with decreased PPARγ but increased PPARα expression

Placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) is reduced in pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia (PE). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors β/δ (PPARβ/δ) have been shown to suppress 11β-HSD2 expression in human placental cells. Our objectives were to investigate whether the reduced 11β-HSD2 expression is associated with the changes in PPARs in PE placentas, and whether PPARα and PPARγ affect 11β-HSD2 expression in placental cells. PPARα and PPARβ/δ mRNA and protein expression was increased, whereas PPARγ mRNA and protein expression was decreased in PE placentas. 11β-HSD2 protein expression was inversely correlated with PPARβ/δ in normal placentas but correlated positively with PPARγ and inversely to PPARα in PE placentas. In cultured placental cells, PPARα agonist inhibited, whereas PPARγ agonist stimulated, 11β-HSD2 mRNA and protein expression and activity in a dose-dependent manner. Knockdown of retinoid X nuclear receptor α (RXRα) resulted in a loss of PPARγ effect but not PPARα effect on11β-HSD2. The PPARα effect remained, but the PPARγ effect was lost in the presence of the translational inhibitor cycloheximide. PPARγ agonist dose-dependently stimulated specificity protein 1 (Sp-1) protein expression. Inhibition or knockdown of Sp-1 resulted in a loss of the effects of PPARα and PPARγ. The Sp-1 protein level was not correlated with 11β-HSD2 and PPARs in normal placentas, whereas Sp-1 expression was correlated with 11β-HSD2, PPARγ, and PPARβ/δ in PE placentas. Our data indicate that 11β-HSD2 expression can be modulated by PPARα and PPARγ in placental trophoblasts through Sp-1. Decreased 11β-HSD2 expression in PE placenta might be associated with decreased PPARγ but increased PPARα expression.

Dual role of Response gene to complement-32 in multiple sclerosis

Response gene to complement (RGC)-32 is a novel molecule that plays an important role in cell proliferation. We investigated the expression of RGC-32 in multiple sclerosis (MS) brain and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. We found that CD3(+), CD68(+), and glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP)(+) cells in MS plaques co-localized with RGC-32. Our results show a statistically significant decrease in RGC-32 mRNA expression in PBMCs during relapses when compared to the levels in stable MS patients. This decrease might be useful in predicting disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. RGC-32 expression was also correlated with that of FasL mRNA during relapses. FasL mRNA expression was significantly reduced after RGC-32 silencing, indicating a role for RGC-32 in the regulation of FasL expression. In addition, the expression of Akt1, cyclin D1, and IL-21 mRNA was significantly increased during MS relapses when compared to levels in healthy controls. Furthermore, we investigated the role of RGC-32 in TGF-β-induced extracellular matrix expression in astrocytes. Blockage of RGC-32 using small interfering RNA significantly inhibits TGF-β induction of procollagen I, fibronectin and of the reactive astrocyte marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Our data suggest that RGC-32 plays a dual role in MS, both as a regulator of T-cells mediated apoptosis and as a promoter of TGF-β-mediated profibrotic effects in astrocytes.

Sirt1 inhibits resistin expression in aortic stenosis

The development of human calcified aortic stenosis (AS) includes age-dependent processes that have been involved in atherosclerosis, such as infiltration of macrophages in aortic valves, which then promote production of many pro-inflammatory cytokines, including resistin. However, the molecular mechanisms contributing to these processes are not established. Since Sirt1 has been shown to modulate macrophage biology and inflammation, we examined its levels in human AS and tested its impact on resistin expression. Sirt1 mRNA (p = 0.01) and protein (p<0.05) levels were reduced in explanted valves from AS patients (n = 51) compared to those from control (n = 11) patients. Sirt1 mRNA levels were negatively associated with resistin mRNA levels quantified in AS valves (p = 0.02). Stimulation of Sirt1 by resveratrol or virus-driven overexpression robustly diminished resistin mRNA and protein expression in macrophages, whereas down-regulation of Sirt1 triggered a large increase in resistin expression. These effects were direct, as chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that Sirt1 physically interacted with the resistin promoter region at an AP-1 response element. Moreover, Sirt1 blocked c-jun-induced resistin transactivation in gene reporter assays. These findings demonstrate that, in calcified AS, levels of Sirt1 are reduced whereas those of resistin are increased within aortic valve leaflets. Our results also suggest that this loss of Sirt1 expression alleviates its inhibition of resistin transcription in macrophages. Although the overall contribution of this process to the underlying mechanisms for AS disease development remains unresolved, these observations suggest that modification of Sirt1 expression and/or activity could represent a novel approach against inflammation in AS.

Resistin is associated with the inflammation process in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases undergoing glucocorticoid therapy: comparison with leptin and adiponectin

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the role of adipokines in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases who received glucocorticoid therapy.

METHODS

Fifty-two patients with systemic autoimmune diseases who had started glucocorticoid therapy were prospectively enrolled. One hundred forty healthy persons were also studied as controls. Serum levels of 3 adipokines [resistin, leptin, and high molecular weight (HMW)-adiponectin] were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits before and at weekly intervals for 4 weeks during glucocorticoid therapy. The effects of lipopolysaccharide and dexamethasone on adipokine expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were also examined.

RESULTS

The serum resistin level was significantly higher in patients than in controls before glucocorticoid therapy, and it decreased after glucocorticoid therapy. Consistent with these results, dexamethasone inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced upregulation of resistin expression in PBMCs in vitro. Serum leptin and HMW-adiponectin levels were lower in the patients than in the controls at baseline, and both adipokine levels were increased after glucocorticoid therapy. There was a significant correlation between serum resistin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. However, there was no association between serum adipokines and intima-media thickness.

CONCLUSION

Resistin may be associated with the inflammatory process but not atherosclerosis in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.