Kai-Leun Tsai

Kai-Leun Tsai

*This is an algorithmically generated author record based on publicly available information.

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Kai-Leun Tsai has a total of 13 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:


Latest Publications

  • Open Access

    Low Levels of IgM and IgA Recognizing Acetylated C1-Inhibitor Peptides Are Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Taiwanese Women

    by Kai-Leun Tsai, Chen-Chung Liao, Yu-Sheng Chang, Ching-Wen Huang, Yu-Chu Huang, Jin-Hua Chen, Sheng-Hong Lin, Chih-Chun Tai, Yi-Fang Lin, Ching-Yu Lin

    The objective of this study was to identify novel acetylation (Ac) modifications of the C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) and explain the association of the levels of autoantibodies against acetylated C1-INH peptides with the risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ac modifications of the C1-INH were identified and validated through in-gel digestion, nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting by using serum protein samples obtained from patients with SLE and age-matched healthy controls (HCs). In addition, the levels of serum C1-INH, Ac-protein adducts, and autoantibodies against unmodified and acetylated C1-INH peptides were measured. C1-INH levels in patients with SLE were significantly lower than those in HCs by 1.53-fold (p = 0.0008); however, Ac-protein adduct concentrations in patients with SLE were significantly higher than those in HCs by 1.35-fold (p = 0.0009). Moreover, immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-C1-INH367–385 Ac and IgA anti-C1-INH367–385 Ac levels in patients with SLE were significantly lower than those in HCs. The low levels of IgM anti-C1-INH367–385 (odds ratio [OR] = 4.725, p < 0.001), IgM anti-C1-INH367–385 Ac (OR = 4.089, p = 0.001), and IgA anti-C1-INH367–385 Ac (OR = 5.566, p < 0.001) indicated increased risks for the development of SLE compared with HCs.


  • Open Access

    Low Levels of IgG Recognizing the α-1-Antitrypsin Peptide and Its Association with Taiwanese Women with Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome

    by Yu-Sheng Chang, Chih-Hong Pan, Che-Chang Chang, Kai-Leun Tsai, Han-Wen Chou, Jin-Hua Chen, Sheng-Hong Lin, Yi-Ying Lu, Chih-Chun Tai, Yi-Fang Lin, et al.

    The aim of this study was to examine oxidative stress and low level of α-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), and evaluate the associated autoreactivity against unmodified and their 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)-modified peptides with pSS. Two differentially expressed proteins, α-1-acid glycoprotein 1 (A1AG1) and A1AT, exhibited 2-fold differences, and their HNE modifications were identified by depleted-albumin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) serum protein, in-solution digestion, in-gel digestion, and nano-liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC-MS/MS) from pSS patients and age-matched healthy controls (HCs). Furthermore, levels of proteins, confirmation of HNE modifications, HNE-protein adducts and autoreactivity against unmodified and their HNE-modified peptides were further validated. Levels of the HNE-protein adduct and A1AG1 were significantly higher in pSS patients than HCs, but levels of A1AT were significantly lower in pSS patients compared to HCs. Only the HNE modification of A1AT was confirmed. Our study suggests that elevated HNE-protein adduct, oxidative stress, level (odds ratio (OR) 4.877, p = 0.003), lowered A1AT level (OR 3.910, p = 0.010) and a decreased level of anti-A1AT50–63 IgG (OR 3.360, p = 0.010) showed an increased risk in pSS patients compared to HCs, respectively.