Abstract:

Objective To detect the methylation status of p16 gene promoter in CD4+ T cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE）, and its significance in the pathogenesis of SLE. Methods The p16 gene promoter methylation in peripheral CD4+ T cells was detected with the Taqman probe-based real-time PCR （Methylight） technology in 28 patients with SLE and 20 healthy human controls. Results The methylation rate of p16 gene promoter in peripheral CD4+ T cells was higher in patients with SLE than that in the controls （35.7％ vs 10％, χ2 = 4.11, P ＜ 0.05）. There was no correlation between SLE disease activity index （SLEDAI） and the normalized index of methylation （NIM） of p16 gene promoter （rs = -0.29, P > 0.05）. Conclusion The methylation status of p16 gene promoter is aberrant in CD4+ T cells of SLE patients, suggesting that the hypermethylation of p16 gene plays a certain role in the pathogenesis of SLE.