Fli-1, a Functional Factor Performed in Autoimmune Lupus

Transcription Factors in the Pathogenesis of Lupus Nephritis and Their Targeted Therapy

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototype inflammatory autoimmune disease, characterized by breakdown of immunotolerance to self-antigens. Renal involvement, known as lupus nephritis (LN), is one of the leading causes of morbidity and a significant contributor to mortality in SLE. Despite current pathophysiological advances, further studies are needed to fully understand complex mechanisms underlying the development and progression of LN. Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that regulate the expression of genes and play a crucial role in the development and progression of LN. The mechanisms of TF promoting or inhibiting gene expression are complex, and studies have just begun to reveal the pathological roles of TFs in LN. Understanding TFs in the pathogenesis of LN can provide valuable insights into this disease's mechanisms and potentially lead to the development of targeted therapies for its management. This review will focus on recent findings on TFs in the pathogenesis of LN and newly developed TF-targeted therapy in renal inflammation.

The expression of Ets-1 and Fli-1 is associated with interferon-inducible genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Transcription factors E26 transformation-specific-1 (Ets-1) and Friend leukemia insertion site-1 (Fli-1) and type I interferon (IFN) have been implicated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We examined the expression of these genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from Japanese patients with SLE and analyzed their association with SLE. We enrolled 53 Japanese patients with SLE, 42 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 30 healthy donors (HDs) (as controls) in this study. PBMCs were collected from all participants, and the expressions of Ets-1, Fli-1, and three interferon-inducible genes (IFIGs) (interferon-inducible protein with tetratricopeptide 1 [IFIT1], interferon-inducible protein 44 [IFI44], and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 2 [EIF2AK2]) were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The relationships of each molecule with clinical symptoms, laboratory data, and treatments were analyzed. The expression of Ets-1 and Fli-1 was significantly lower in the PBMCs from patients with SLE than that in the PBMCs from patients with RA and HDs. The expression of the three IFIGs was significantly higher in the PBMCs from patients with SLE than that in the PBMCs from patients with RA and HDs. For patients with SLE, significantly positive correlations were found between Ets-1 and three IFIGs; a similar trend was observed between Fli-1 and IFIGs. IFIG expression in the PBMCs was significantly higher in patients with SLE than that in other participants, and the expression of Ets-1 and Fli-1 was positively associated with IFN expression. Therefore, it was suggested that Ets-1 and Fli-1 were associated with the pathophysiology of SLE by regulating the type I IFN pathway.

Emerging role of Fli1 in autoimmune diseases

The Ets transcription factor family exerts crucial role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and migration. Friend leukemia integration 1 (Fli1), a member of the Ets family, is expressed in fibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells. Fli1 gene is participated in the development, proliferation, activation, migration and other processes of immune cells. Fli1 can also affect the function of immune cells by regulating cytokines and chemokines. Emerging evidence has shown that Fli1 is implicated in the etiology of several autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this review, we mainly discuss the current evidence for the role of Fli1 in these diseases.