AB0148 Induction of HO-1 expression in monocytes might prevent kidney damage in lupus nephritis (LN)
Authors: L Cuitino, J Obreque, P Gajardo-Meneses, N Crisostomo, A Torres, AM Kalergis, C Llanos
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2017)

<h3>Background</h3> Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), is an autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibody synthesis and inflammation. During disease course, up to 70% of SLE patients will develop LN. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that infiltrating monocytes and macrophages are associated with LN pathogenesis. We have previously demonstrated that HO-1, a haem-degrading enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties is decreased in peripheral monocytes of SLE patients. Therefore, we decided to explore the contribution of HO-1 expression to LN pathogenesis. <h3>Objectives</h3> To explore the role of HO-1 in modulating innate immunity through a cytoprotective effect in monocytes of LN nephritis patients. Accordingly, we examined the expression of HO-1 in circulating monocytes, and the effect of HO-1 induction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the phagocytic activity of monocytes from peripheral blood of LN patients and healthy controls (HC). <h3>Methods</h3> SLE patients with proliferative LN confirmed by renal biopsy (Class III, IV or V ISN/RPS) were recruited at Hospital Clinico of PUC. All individuals signed an informed consent form. Monocytes were purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of LN patients and HC using pan-monocytes MACS kit. Subpopulations of monocytes and HO-1 expression were measured by FACS. ROS was determined using CellRox Kit. The phagocytic ability of monocytes was assessed by FACS and the total phagocytosis was calculated as the percentage of cells with engulfed beads. <h3>Results</h3> We found that monocytes from LN patients show significant differences when compared to HC in all the parameters analyzed. The percentage of CD16+ inflammatory monocytes was higher in LN patients (6.72±0.98%) compared to HC (4.07±0.48%) (p&lt;0.05). HO-1 protein expression is decreased in circulating LN monocytes (4789±911 vs 1572±481, p=0.005). Baseline levels of ROS are elevated in LN monocytes with similar values that the ones found in monocytes from HC treated with a ROS inducer (HC: 3509±584; HC+TBHP: 8436±1909; LN: 8355±1714). Furthermore, phagocytic activity is increased in LN monocytes (77.97±3.31%) compared to HC (39.63±2.75%). Moreover, our preliminary data indicate that HO-1 induction, using cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP), leads to downregulation of ROS production in LN (∼60%) and HC (∼40%) leaving both in similar levels of ROS production. In addition, phagocytic activity is also decreased in LN and HC monocytes in the presence of CoPP (∼30%). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Decreased HO-1 expression in circulating monocytes of LN patients leads to higher ROS production and phagocitic activity. ROS level and phagocytosis are reduced when we induce HO-1 expression with CoPP. We propose that HO-1 induction might exert a cytoprotective role in LN by regulating innate immunity. FONDECYT N° 1150173. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> We would like to extend our appreciation to all the volunteers that participated in this study. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared