Hydrogen Sulfide Inhibits Abnormal Proliferation of Lymphocytes via AKT/GSK3β Signal Pathway in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Background/Aim: The abnormal activation of the AKT/GSK3 beta signal pathway in lymphocytes from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Recently Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been recognized as a crucial gaseous signaling molecule, involved in regulation of cell proliferation. However, the role of H2S in regulating the abnormal activation of lymphocytes from SLE patients has not been established. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of H2S on lymphocytes and to explore the mechanisms involved. Methods: The lymphocytes were isolated from SLE patients with or without renal disease and healthy controls. The cells were treated as indicated in each experiment. Cell viability was analyzed by CCK-8. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the expression of phosphorylated AKT (ser473), GSK3 beta (ser9) and CDK2, p27(Kip1) and p21(WAF1/CIP1). Results: Our findings showed that proliferation of lymphocytes was stimulated following treatment with NaHS (a H2S donor) at low NaHS concentrations (< 1mM) but inhibited at high NaHS concentrations (> 2mM). Similar results were observed using GYY4137, which is a slow-releasing H2S donor. Pretreatment of lymphocytes from SLE patients with NaHS at high concentrations prior to exposure to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) significantly attenuated proliferation, evidenced by decrease in cell viability and S phase distribution of cell cycle. Pretreatment with NaHS decreased PHA-induced expression of CDK2, phosphorylation levels of AKT (ser473) and GSK3 beta (ser9) and increased the expression of p27(Kip1) and p21(WAF1/CIP1). Moreover, pretreatment with NaHS blunted the stimulation of SLE lymphocyte proliferation by GSK3 beta inhibitor lithium chloride. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that H2S inhibits the abnormal activation of lymphocytes from SLE patients throuqh the AKT/GSK3 beta signal pathway. Copyright (c) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel