Figure 2
Decreased levels of CXCR4 and CXCR7 mRNAs in active SLE leukocytes. (A and B) The relative levels of CXCR4 (A) and CXCR7 (B) transcripts in PBMC from SLE patients, distributed according to disease activity (i.e. inactive versus active), were compared by real-time PCR with those from healthy individuals. Each individual sample has been run in triplicate. Results are expressed as CXCR4/β-actin or CXCR7/β-actin AU ratio and presented as box plots with median values, 25th and 75th quartile and the range of values. Kruskal-Wallis H test and associated P values are indicated. *P < .05 and **P < .005 compared with control leukocytes (as determined using the Mann–Whitney U-test). (C and D) Correlation scatter plots of CXCR4 (C) or CXCR7 (D) mRNA levels and SLEDAI scores. Correlation factor (r, Spearman’s) and P value are indicated.