To determine the expression of mTOR, Becline-1, LC3 and p62 in the peripheral 
blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and assess 
their relationship with disease activity and immunologic features. The 
expression of mTOR, Becline-1, LC3 and p62 was detected by RT-PCR in 81 SLE 
subjects and 86 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Data regarding 
demographics and clinical parameters were collected. Disease activity of SLE was 
evaluated according to the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score. 
Independent sample t-test was used to analyze the expression of mTOR, Becline-1, 
LC3, and p62 in the two groups. Pearson's or Spearman's correlation was 
performed to analyze their relationship with disease activity and immunologic 
features. The mean levels of Becline-1, LC3 and p62 mRNA were significantly 
higher in SLE patients than the controls (9.96×10-4 vs 7.38×10-4 for Becline-1 
with P<0.001; 4.04×10-5 vs 2.62×10-5 for LC3 with P<0.001; 9.51×10-4 vs 
7.59×10-4 for p62 with P=0.008). However, the levels of mTOR mRNA in SLE 
patients were not significantly different from that in controls. Correlation 
analysis showed that Becline-1, LC3 and p62 mRNA levels correlated positively 
with SLEDAI, IgG and ds-DNA, negatively with C3. Our results suggested that 
autophagosomes formation were activated and their degradation were blocked in 
SLE. Moreover, the maintenance of autophagy balance can improve disease activity 
and immune disorders in SLE patients.