Circulating exosomes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus induce a proinflammatory immune response

Background Exosomes are involved in intercellular communication. The aim of this study was to investigate whether circulating exosomes effectively contribute to the inflammatory response in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Exosomes were purified from SLE patients and healthy controls (HCs). Healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with exosomes isolated from SLE patients and HCs in the presence or absence of Toll-like receptor (TLR) inhibitors. Production of interferon (IFN)-α, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were measured. Corr... Mehr ...