Novel biomarkers for the assessment of paediatric systemic lupus erythematosus nephritis. (22nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koutsonikoli, A.; Trachana, M.; Farmaki, E.; Tzimouli, V.; Pratsidou‐Gertsi, P.; Printza, N.; Garyphallos, A.; Galanopoulou, V.; Kanakoudi‐Tsakalidou, F.; Papachristou, F.
• Is Part Of: Clinical and experimental immunology. Volume 188:Number 1(2017:Apr.)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 85
• Publication Date: 2017-01-22
• Subjects: autoantibodies -- biomarkers -- paediatric lupus nephritis; Immunopathology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1111/cei.12913
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-9104

Abstract

Summary: The discovery of serum biomarkers specific for paediatric lupus nephritis (pLN) will facilitate the non‐invasive diagnosis, follow‐up and more appropriate use of treatment. The aim of this study was to explore the role of serum high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein, antibodies against nucleosomes (anti‐NCS), complement factor C1q (anti‐C1q) and glomerular basement membrane (anti‐GBM) in pLN. Serum samples of 42 patients with paediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE) (22 with pLN and 20 without renal involvement), 15 patients with other autoimmune nephritis (AN) and 26 healthy controls (HCs) were examined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The activity of both pSLE and pLN was assessed by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) tool. The levels of all four biomarkers were significantly higher in pLN compared to AN and to HCs. The anti‐NCS, anti‐GBM and HMGB1 serum levels were significantly higher in pLN than in pSLE without renal involvement. The anti‐C1q and the HMGB1 serum levels were correlated positively with pSLE activity. The HMGB1 serum levels were also correlated positively with pLN activity. These findings suggest that serum anti‐NCS, anti‐GBM and HMGB1 may serve as biomarkers specific for the presence of nephritis in pSLE. HMGB1 emerged as a useful biomarker for the assessment of pLN and pSLE activity, whereas anti‐C1q only of pSLE activity. Abstract : Our study explored the possible association of the serum High‐Mobility‐Group‐Box‐1 (HMGB1) protein, antibodies against nucleosomes (anti‐NCS), complement factor C1q (anti‐C1q) and glomerular basement membrane (anti‐GBM) with pediatric Lupus Nephritis (pLN), in a homogeneous Caucasian pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (pSLE) population from northern Greece. Our findings suggest that the serum anti‐NCS, anti‐GBM and HMGB1 may serve as biomarkers specific for the presence of nephritis in pSLE. The HMGB1 emerged as a useful biomarker for the assessment of pLN and pSLE activity, whereas the anti‐C1q only of pSLE activity.