TY - JOUR AB - Impaired function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) contributes to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our previous study demonstrated aberrant responses of T lymphocytes to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in patients with SLE. The present study investigated whether ER stress inhibition by 4‑phenylbutyric acid (4‑PBA) ameliorated lupus manifestations in an experimental lupus model and the effect of ER stress inhibition on the frequency and function of Tregs. A murine lupus model was induced through a 4‑week treatment with Resiquimod, a toll‑like receptor (TLR) 7 agonist. From the 8th week, the mice were treated with 4‑PBA for 4 weeks. 4‑PBA significantly decreased the levels of anti‑dsDNA antibodies and serum TNF‑α. A significant decrease in glomerulonephritis score was also observed in the 4‑PBA‑treated group. ER stress inhibition decreased the activated T and B lymphocytes population of splenocytes; however, the population of Tregs was not significantly different between the vehicle and 4‑PBA group. However, a markedly enhanced suppressive capacity of Treg was detected in the 4‑PBA‑treated group. The present results suggest that ER stress inhibition attenuated disease activity in an experimental model by improving the suppressive capacity of Tregs. Therefore, reduction of ER stress could be used as a beneficial therapeutic strategy in SLE. AD - Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Jeollabukdo 54907, Republic of Korea Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University‑Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Jeollabukdo 54907, Republic of Korea AU - Choi,Yunjung AU - Jung,Ji-Hyun AU - Lee,Eun-Gyeong AU - Kim,Kyoung Min AU - Yoo,Wan-Hee DA - 2021/05/01 DO - 10.3892/etm.2021.9891 IS - 5 JO - Exp Ther Med KW - endoplasmic reticulum stress systemic lupus erythematosus regulatory T cell lupus nephritis PY - 2021 SN - 1792-0981 1792-1015 SP - 460 ST - 4‑phenylbutyric acid mediates therapeutic effect in systemic lupus erythematosus: Observations in an experimental murine lupus model T2 - Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine TI - 4‑phenylbutyric acid mediates therapeutic effect in systemic lupus erythematosus: Observations in an experimental murine lupus model UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.9891 VL - 21 ER -