系统性红斑狼疮患者磷脂酶C-γ1与磷脂酶C-γ2表达的研究

目的 探讨系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)中磷脂酶C-γ1、磷脂酶C -γ2的表达水平及其与SLE疾病活动性的相关性.方法 运用半定量聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法,检测30例SLE患者与25名健康对照人的磷脂酶C-γ1与磷脂酶C-γ2 mRNA表达水平,并采用Pearson相关性检验分析它们与补体C3、C4、抗双链DNA (dsDNA)抗体及SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)积分的相关性.结果 ①SLE组与健康对照组相比,磷脂酶C-γ1与磷脂酶C-γ2 mRNA表达显著增高(分别为P＜0.01);②磷脂酶C-γ1与磷脂酶C-γ2 mRNA表达水平之间呈正相关(r=0.726,P＜0.01);③SLE组磷脂酶C-γ1 mRNA表达水平与补体C3、C4、抗dsDNA抗体均无相关性,而与SLEDAI积分呈正相关(r=0.002,P＜0.05).磷脂酶C-γ2与补体C3、C4呈显著负相关(r=-0.914,P＜0.01;r=-0.829,P＜0.05),与抗dsDNA抗体正相关(r=0.171,P＜0.05),与SLEDAI积分相关性不明显.结论 本研究发现SLE患者磷脂酶C-γ1与磷脂酶C-γ2的表达水平在SLE患者中增高,磷脂酶C-γ1与SLEDAI积分呈正相关,磷脂酶C-γ2与补体C3、C4呈负相关,与抗dsDNA抗体正相关,可能对SLE患者的诊断和病情评估有较大价值.     

干扰素指数在系统性红斑狼疮诊断和活动性判断中的应用价值

目的 选择5个干扰素诱导基因人黏液病毒抗性蛋白1(MX1);2',5'-寡腺苷酸样合成酶(OASL);2'5'-寡腺苷酸合成酶1(OAS1);α-干扰素诱导蛋白15(ISG15)、淋巴细胞抗原6复合体E(LY6E)作为系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)候选基因进行表达研究并探讨干扰素诱导基因在SLE中的表达情况以及对SLE诊断的临床价值.方法 收集68例SLE患者、50例其他自身免疫性疾病患者和26名健康者外周血细胞,提取RNA,以实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)技术进行检测,观察各组间基因表达量的差异及各组间干扰素(IFN)指数的差异;应用受试者工作曲线(ROC)分析软件评价干扰素诱导基因在SLE诊断中的价值,Spearman相关分析法分析干扰素指数与SLE疾病活动度指标[SLEDAI积分和尿蛋白定量(24 h)]的相关性.采用t检验和秩和检验进行统计学分析.结果 ①SLE患者外周血细胞MX1、OASL、OAS1、ISG15、LY6E基因的表达水平均显著高于疾病对照组和健康对照组,差异有统计学意义(P值均＜0.01).②SLE患者干扰素指数(17.9±29.1)显著高于疾病对照组(3.0±8.1)和健康对照组(0±3.3),差异有统计学意义(P值均＜0.01).③在SLE诊断中,干扰素指数ROC曲线下的面积(AUCROC)为0.846,当干扰素指数取2.56时,对SLE患者诊断的敏感性为82.4%,特异性为76.3%.④SLE患者干扰素指数水平与SLEDAI积分(r=0.256,P＜0.01)和尿蛋白定量(24 h)水平(r=0.337,P＜0.01)呈显著正相关.⑤合并肾脏损害的SLE患者、抗Sm与抗dsDNA抗体阳性SLE患者干扰素指数显著升高,差异有统计学意义(P值均＜0.05).结论 干扰素诱导基因MX1、OASL、OAS1、ISG15和LY6E在SLE患者中呈高表达,干扰素指数的升高对于SLE的诊断及疾病活动性判断具有参考价值.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者Ⅰ型干扰素诱导基因的表达

目的 通过观察系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者Ⅰ型IFN诱导基因[黏液病毒抗性蛋白1(MXI)、2',5'-寡腺苷酸样合成酶(OASL)、2',5'-寡腺苷酸合成酶1(OASI)、α-干扰素诱导蛋白15(ISGl5)、淋巴细胞抗原6复合体E(LY6E)]mRNA表达,探讨其对SLE活动或感染鉴别诊断的作用.方法 收集48例SLE患者、16例类风湿关节炎(RA)患者、26例健康人外周血细胞,提取RNA,用实时荧光定量PCR检测所有受试者MXI、OASL、OASI、ISG15、LY6E mRNA表达.单因素和多因素logistic回归分析上述5个基因表达水平与狼疮感染或活动的关联性.结果 (1)与健康人相比,SLE患者MXI、OASL、OASI、ISGl5、LY6E mRNA表达水平显著增高,差异有统计学意义(P值均小于0.01);SLE患者OASL、OAS1、ISG15、LY6E mRNA表达水平较RA者显著增高,差异有统计学意义(P值均小于0.01).(2)男性SLE患者MXI、OASL、OASI、ISGl5、LY6E mRNA表达水平与女性患者相比,差异均无统计学意义.(3)logistic回归分析显示,ISG15、LY6E是SLE活动的独立危险因素(P相似文献   

狼疮肾炎患者Ⅰ型干扰素诱导基因表达的研究

目的 了解Ⅰ型干扰素(IFN)诱导基因IFIT4、IFI44、Ly6e、OAS1、OAS2和OAS3在狼疮肾炎(LN)患者的表达,并分析IFN积分与临床特征之间的相关性.方法 ①同步收集12例弥漫增生型LN患者.肾组织和外周血,抽提总RNA并反转录为cDNA,以实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)方法检测Ⅰ型IFN诱导基因IFIT4、IFI44、Ly6e、OAS1、OAS2和OAS3的表达水平.②收集119例LN患者的临床资料,计算每例患者的IFN积分,并与系统性红斑狼疮疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)积分、抗dsDNA抗体、补体、蛋白尿水平等指标进行相关性检验.结果 ①弥漫增生型LN患者肾组织高表达OAS2[(1.46±1.15)与(0.60±0.59)]和OAS3[(2.16±1.63)与(0.93±0.95)],P<0.05;IFIT4[(1.68±1.76)与(0.96±0.71)]、IFI44[(3.23±2.67)与(1.65±1.95)]、Ly6e[(3.54±2.09)与(2.34±2.57)]、OAS1[(2.52±1.86)与(1.34±0.28)]的表达量高于对照组1个循环左右.狼疮患者外周血高表达IFIT4[(11.2±7.7)与(1.56±2.71)]、IFI44[(9.5±6.1)与(2.6±4.4)J、Ly6e[(17.5±13.7)与(7.1±10.3)]、OAS1[(8.68±6.36)与(1.15±1.89)]、OAS2[(10.41±7.71)与(0.66±0.82)]、OAS3[(8.75±4.34)与(0.89±1.34)],P<0.05.Ⅰ型IFN诱导基因IFIT4、IFI44、Ly6e、OAS1、OAS2和OAS3在肾脏组织和外周血的表达呈同步增高趋势.②根据119例患者IFIT4、IFI44、Ly6e、OAS1、OAS2和OAS3的表达计算IFN积分,发现IFN积分与SLEDAI、抗dsDNA抗体呈正相关(r分别是0.216和0.394,P<0.05),与血清补体水平呈负相关(r=0.315,P<0.01).结论 Ⅰ型IFN诱导基因IFIT4、IFI44、Ly6e、OAS1、OAS2和OAS3外周血表达的水平在一定程度上反映LN肾损害情况,IFN积分对监测LN患者的疾病活动有一定的特异性.     

OAS异构体对系统性红斑狼疮合并感染或疾病活动鉴别诊断的初步研究

目的探讨2′,5′-寡腺苷酸合成酶(OAS)异构体对系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)活动或感染的鉴别诊断作用。方法用荧光定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测SLE活动组(34例),SLE合并感染组(28例),正常对照组(29名)的OAS1、OAS2、OASL的mRNA表达。结果SLE活动组与正常对照组相比OAS1、OAS2、OASL的表达均明显增高(P<0.01),感染组3者表达均较SLE活动组为低(P<0.01)。SLE合并感染组与正常对照组相比OAS1的表达仍增高(P=0.000)、OAS2的表达增高不明显(P=0.124)、OASL的表达则明显降低(P=0.01)。Logistic回归显示OASL表达减低构成SLE合并感染的预测因子(P<0.01)。结论初步提示OAS异构体表达格局,特别是OASL,可能成为SLE活动和感染鉴别诊断的参考指标。     

系统性红斑狼疮患者T淋巴细胞PTA1表达的研究

目的：研究血小板和T细胞活化抗原1（PTA1）在系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）外周血T淋巴细胞的表达及其与SLE活动相关性，探索活化T细胞在SLE发病中的作用。方法：应用双色直接荧光标记，流式细胞仪分析27例（其中活动期13例，非活动期14例）SLE患者和30名健康志愿者的CD3，CD4，CD8淋巴细胞，在植物血凝素（PHA）刺激下PTA1（CD226）表达，同时检测SLE患者抗dsDNA抗体，C3和C4补体，疾病活动度用SLEDAI记分，结果：SLE患者组CD3，CD4，CD8淋巴细胞上PTA1表达率均高于正常对照组，CD3上PTA1表达两组差异有显著性（P＜0．01），活动期SLE组CD3，CD4，CD8细胞上PTA1表达均高于正常对照组和非活动期SLE组（P＜0．01），而非活动期SLE组与正常对照组差异无显著性（P＞0．05），SLE患者CD3，CD8细胞PTA1表达与SLEDAI，抗dsDNA抗体之间呈正相关，与C3，C4补体水平呈负相关，CD8细胞PTA1表达与SLEDAI，抗dsDNA抗体，C3，C4补体水平呈直线相关（P＜0．05），结论：SLE患者存在T细胞亚群异常活化，活动期SLE淋巴细胞PTA1表达增高，SLE患者CD8细胞PTA1表达异常与SLEDAI，抗dsDNA抗体，C2和C4补体之间有明显相关，CD8细胞活化程度与SLE疾病程度有关，PTA1可能参与了SLE的免疫发病机制。     

寡腺苷酸合成酶家族基因的定表达与系统性红斑狼疮的临床特征

目的探讨系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中寡腺苷酸合成酶(OAS)1、OAS2和OASLmRNA的实时定量表达水平与SLE疾病特异性和病情活动度的相关性。方法收集144例SLE患者、27例非SLE患者与59名正常对照人群的临床资料,取外周血抽取总RNA并反转录成cDNA,运用sybrgreendyeⅠ实时定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)法在ABIPRISM7900H基因测序仪上检测患者组和对照组的OAS1、OAS2的OASLmRNA表达水平的差异,并与病情活动度进行分组比较,分析其意义。结果①SLE患者的总体OAS1mRNA定量表达水平显著高于非SLE对照组和正常对照组,差异有非常显著性(P=0郾016,P=0郾000);OAS2mRNAP定量表达水平高于正常对照组(P=0郾015);而OASLmRNA定量表达水平与非SLE对照组和正常组之间差异无显著性(P=0郾698,P=0郾396)。②SLE活动组的OAS1和OASLmRNA定量表达水平均显著高于SLE非活动组,差异有非常显著性(P=0郾011,P=0郾001)。但SLE活动组的OAS2表达水平与SLE非活动组之间差异无显著性(P=0郾109)。③SLE患者组的OAS2和OASLmRNA定量表达水平与SLEDAI积分呈正相关性(P=0郾001,P=0郾006)。④SLE患者的肾、肺、脑、血液等器官的有无受累与OAS1、OAS2和OASLmRNA表达水平无相关性。⑤SLE患者组和正常对照组组内的OAS1、OAS2和OASL表达水平     

系统性红斑狼疮外周血干扰素积分与临床相关研究

目的 讨Ⅰ型干扰素(IFN)诱导基因(IFIG)的表达与系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)的临床相关性.方法 实时定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测67例SLE患者及23名健康对照外周血白细胞中5个IFIG(OAS-1、Mx-1、Lv6e、IFIT1和IFIT4)的mRNA水平,计算IFN积分,并与相应临床资料进行统计学分析;随机挑取17例患者采用荧光素酶报告基因测定其血清IFN活性并与IFN积分行相关分析.结果 IFN积分在SLE患者中显著增高,并与血清IFN活性及SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)-2K积分呈显著正相关,与补体C3水平呈负相关.此外,抗Sm、抗RNP抗体阳性的患者中存在IFN积分显著升高.结论 IFN积分与血清IFN活性密切相关,与SLE的疾病活动性及特定自身抗体表型相关,是反映SLE活动的新的生物标志物.     

系统性红斑狼疮FcγRⅡb和C1q抗体的表达及其意义

目的 探讨系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血单个核细胞FcγRⅡb和血清C1q抗体的表达及其在SLE发病机制中的意义。方法 32例SLE和22例正常人外周血粒细胞、淋巴细胞和单核细胞FcγRⅡb的表达采用流式细胞仪测定，血清C1q抗体采用ELISA法测定，并将FcγRⅡb和C1q抗体的表达分别与抗核抗体(ANA)、抗dsDNA抗体及SLEDAI评分作相关性分析。结果 SLE患者外周血粒细胞、淋巴细胞和单核细胞FcγRⅡb的表达均减少。以粒细胞和单核细胞为著，血清C1q抗体水平明显增高，且FcγRⅡb和C1q抗体与ANA、抗dsDNA及系统性红斑狼疮活动指数(SLEDAI)评分分别呈负相关和正相关；FcγRⅡb与C1q抗体呈低-中度负相关。结论 SLE患者外周血单个核细胞FcγRⅡb表达缺陷和血清C1q抗体水平升高，使免疫复合物的清除功能下降，这在SLE的免疫发病机制中起重要作用，FcγRⅡb和C1q抗体是判断病情活动性的重要指标。     

外周血单个核细胞FcγRⅡb和血清C1q抗体变化在SLE发病机制中的作用

目的探讨外周血单个核细胞FcγRⅡb及血清C。q抗体的表达在系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）发病机制中的作用。方法检测了41例SLE患者和30例正常人外周血粒细胞、淋巴细胞和单核细胞FcγRⅡb的表达及血清C1q抗体水平,将上述指标分别与抗核抗体（ANA）、dsDNA抗体及SLE活动性指数评分（SLEDAI）作相关性分析。结果SLE患者外周血粒细胞、淋巴细胞和单核细胞FcγRⅡb的表达均减少（以粒细胞和单核细胞为主）,血清C1q抗体水平明显增高,FcγRⅡb和C1q抗体与ANA、抗dsDNA及SLEDAI评分分别呈负相关和正相关;FcγRⅡb与C1q抗体呈低一中度负相关。结论外周血单个核细胞FcγRⅡb表达缺陷和血清C1q抗体水平升高在SLE的免疫发病机制中起重要作用;FcγRⅡb和C1q抗体是判断SLE病情活动性的重要指标。     

Toll样受体7及9在系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血B淋巴细胞内的表达及意义

目的 了解Toll样受体(TLR)7及9在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血B淋巴细胞内的表达情况及其意义.方法 流式细胞术检测50例SLE患者及30名健康人外周血B淋巴细胞内TLR7及9的表达水平.并将其与有关临床及实验窜指标进行相关性分析.结果 SLE患者B淋巴细胞内TLR7+及9+细胞所占比例均高于对照组.TLR7与患者红细胞沉降率(ESR)、SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)呈正相关,与C3呈负相关.TLR9与患者尿蛋白、SLEDAI呈正相关.结论 TLR7及9在SLE患者B淋巴细胞内表达上调,且与病情有一定的相关性.     

Could 2′5′-oligoadenylate synthetase isoforms be biomarkers to differentiate between disease flare and infection in lupus patients? A pilot study

2′5′-Oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) was shown to be related to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) 20 years ago, and was rediscovered to be involved in type I interferon pathway in SLE by several microarray gene expression studies recently. The goal of this study was to investigate OAS isoform expressions in lupus patients, to evaluate whether they could become biomarkers to differentiate between disease flare and infection. Fifty-four SLE patients presented with fever or systemic inflammatory syndrome, or both, were enrolled. Gene expressions of OAS1, OAS2, and OASL were studied by using real time PCR in active SLE (SLEDAI ≥9, n=29) and in those complicated with infections (n=25). The latter group was composed of 19 patients with invasive bacterial infections, and six patients with viral infections. C reactive protein (CRP) and other clinical parameters were also measured. Twenty-nine healthy individuals made up a normal control group. The mRNA expressions of OAS1, OAS2, and OASL were higher in patients with lupus flares than those with infections (p<0.03), or normal controls (p<0.001). SLE complicated with infections have higher OAS1 expression level (P=0.002), lower OASL (P=0.004), and equivalent OAS2 (P=0.135), when compared with those of normal controls. OASL expression level was negatively correlated with infection in lupus by logistic regression analysis (p=0.008). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the prediction of infection was 0.92 (p<0.0001) for OASL, and 0.77 (p=0.007) for CRP. Therefore, our preliminary data suggest that the pattern of OAS isoform expressions, OASL in particular, may provide useful information in differentiating disease flares from certain infections in SLE.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血单个核细胞CD226基因表达的研究

目的 研究CD226基因在系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者与健康人外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)的表达及其与CD226-Gly307Ser多态性、疾病活动度的相关性.方法 应用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应检测SLE患者组90例及健康对照组30名PBMCs CD226 mRNA表达水平,同时应用单因素方差分析CD226基因表达量在3种基因之间是否存在差异,并且探讨其与临床指标的相关性以及CD226-Gly307Ser多态性的3种基因型进行Pearson相关性分析.结果 SLE组与健康对照组相比,CD226基因表达水平明显降低(P＜0.01);SLE组3种基因型之间的CD226 mRNA表达量差异无统计学意义(6.8±1.1与26.5±6.7,P＞0.05);红细胞沉降率、尿蛋白定量(24 h)、抗核抗体滴度、SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)及血清补体C3水平与CD226基因表达均没有相关性.结论 在中国湖北汉族人群中,CD226-Gly307Ser多态性与SLE发病相关;T危险等位基因未影响CD226的mRNA表达水平,CD226分子在自身免疫性疾病中作用需进一步探讨.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the expression level of CD226 mRNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and explore the relation between the gene expression and disease activity, and the relation between the gene expression and Gly307Ser polymorphism of CD226 was also examined. Methods CD226 gene was measured with real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT- PCR) in PBMCs. The expression levels of CD226 gene in PBMCs were compared between 90 SLE patients and 30 healthy individuals. One-way ANOVA and pearson correlation were used for statistical analysis. Results The expression level of CD226 in the PBMCs of SLE patients (6.8±1.1) was significantly decreased compared to healthy individuals (26.5±6.7) (P＜0.01), while there was no association between mRNA level and genotype (P＞0.05). No correlation between ESR, CRP, ANA, SLEDAI scores, C3 and the expression level of CD226 gene was discovered. Conclusion In Hubei Chinese Han population, CD226-Gly307Ser locus is associated with the development of SLE, while T allele does not impact the expression of CD226 gene, thus the role of CD226 gene in autoimmune diseases should be explored in the future.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血单个核细胞端粒保护蛋白TPP1及POT1基因表达的研究

目的 研究端粒保护蛋白TPP1及POT1基因在系统性红斑狼疮(SEE)患者与健康人外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)的表达及其与SEE肾损、疾病活动度的相关性.方法 应用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应检测SEE患者活动组28例、缓解组20例及健康对照组30例PBMCs TPP1、POT1 mRNA表达水平,并且与SEE患者临床指标进行相关性分析.结果 SLE组与健康对照组相比,TPP1及POT1基因表达明显降低(P均<0.01),活动组与缓解组均显著低于健康对照组(P均<0.05);POT1基因在活动组的表达显著低于缓解组(P<0.05);TPP1及POT1基因在肾损组的表达低于无肾损组(P<0.01),在SLE肾损患者中,尿蛋白定量与TPP1及POT1基因的表达水平呈负相关(P<0.05),尿白细胞与POT1基因呈负相关(P<0.05);红细胞沉降率、C反应蛋白、抗核抗体与TPP1、POT1基因的表达及SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)评分没有相关性;POT1 mRNA的表达与血清IsG、SLEDAI评分呈负相关(P<0.05,P<0.01),与补体C3呈正相关(P<0.01);TPP1 mRNA的表达与血清IgG、SLEDAI评分及C3没有相关性.结论 端粒保护蛋白TPP1和POT1基因在SLE的发病中发挥重要作用,其参与了SLE肾脏损害的病理过程,POT1可作为SEE疾病活动的有效的评判指标.     

初发系统性红斑狼疮患者外周血CD4+调节性T细胞CD73表达

目的 研究CD73在初发活动性系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者外周血CD4+调节性T细胞的表达情况,探讨其在SLE发病中的作用.方法 采用流式细胞术检测29例初发未经治疗的活动期SLE患者(SLE组)和22例健康人(健康对照组)外周血CD4+CD25+CD73+T细胞百分率及CD4+CD73+、CD4+CDhi25、CD4+CD25+T细胞中叉头状转录因子3(FOXP3)蛋白表达,同时对CD73表达水平与SLE活动指标进行相关性分析.结果 SLE组患者外周血CD4+ CD25+ CD73+T细胞百分率低于健康对照组[(1.25±1. 32)%vs(2.35±1.09)%,P＜0.01].SLE组和健康正常对照组,CD73在C4+ CDhi25T细胞的表达水平[(29.05±12.53)%、(43.35±10.09)%]高于CD4+ CD25+T细胞[(17.48±6.92)%、(29.98±10.39)%,P＜0.001];FOXP3蛋白在CD4+ CD73+ T细胞[(65.36±14.40)%、(63.80±14.05)%]、CD4+ CDhi25 T细胞的表达水平[(67.30±13.04)%、(56.30±9.21)%]明显高于CD4+ CD25+ T细胞[(45.70±12.74)%、(43.98±5.17)%,P＜0.001],在CD4+ CD73-T细胞几乎不表达,而在CD4+ CD73+ T细胞、CD4+ CDhi25 T细胞中的表达差异无统计学意义(P值均大于0.05).CD73在CD4+ CD25+ T细胞的表达水平与SLE疾病活动指数、ESR、C反应蛋白、抗补体C1q、抗核小体抗体均无相关性(P＞0.05).结论 CD73可作为调节性T细胞新的表面标记,其在调节性T细胞中的异常表达可能参与SLE的发病机制.     

Neutrophil/lymphocyte and platelet/lymphocyte ratios are useful predictors comparable to serum IL6 for disease activity and damage in naive and relapsing patients with lupus nephritis

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have become recently useful as predictive and prognostic tools in patients with various medical conditions.Aim of the workTo evaluate NLR and PLR in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their relation to disease clinical characteristics, nephritis, disease activity and damage.Patients and methodThe study involved 110 Egyptian SLE patients; 80 with lupus nephritis (naive and relapsing) and 30 without as well as 50 matched control. Patients were subjected to full clinical examination, SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) scoring, and damage using Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index (SLICC-DI). Laboratory and immunology profiles included the complete blood count (CBC) with differential white blood cell counts and estimation of both NLR and PLR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), protein/creatinine ratio, anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (anti-dsDNA), serum complements and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels.ResultBoth NLR and PLR were significantly higher in SLE patients (4.8 ± 1.4 and 281.7 ± 66.7 respectively) compared to controls (3.8 ± 2 and 138.2 ± 50.4). Both ratios were significantly elevated in patients with active lupus nephritis (at presentation or as a flare) and were comparable between naive and relapsing lupus nephritis patients. In lupus nephritis patients, NLR and PLR significantly correlated with proteinuria, ESR, hypocomplementemia, IL6, SLEDAI and SLICC-DI. The best NLR cut-off value to predict nephritis activity was 5.65, whereas the best PLR cut-off value was 316.5.ConclusionNLR and PLR appear to be potentially useful cheap parameters of activity, relapse and severity in SLE patients with nephritis.     

Association of increased interferon‐inducible gene expression with disease activity and lupus nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective

To study 5 type I interferon (IFN)–inducible genes (LY6E, OAS1, OASL, MX1, and ISG15) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to correlate expression levels with disease activity and/or clinical manifestations.

Methods

Peripheral blood cells were obtained from 48 SLE patients, 48 normal controls, and 22 rheumatic disease controls, and total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed into complementary DNA. Gene expression levels were measured by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, standardized to a housekeeping gene, and summed to an IFN score. Disease activity was determined by the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus: National Assessment–Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA‐SLEDAI) composite.

Results

Each gene was highly expressed in SLE patients compared with normal controls (P ≤ 0.0003) or disease controls (P ≤ 0.0008 except for MX1). IFN scores were positively associated with the SELENA‐SLEDAI instrument score (P = 0.001), the SELENA‐SLEDAI flare score (P = 0.03), and the physician's global assessment score (P = 0.005). Compared with patients without nephritis, lupus nephritis patients had higher IFN scores (overall P < 0.0001), especially during active renal disease. IFN scores were weakly associated with neurologic manifestations. Elevated IFN scores were positively associated with the current presence of anti–double‐stranded DNA (anti‐dsDNA) antibodies (P = 0.007) or hypocomplementemia (P = 0.007). LY6E expression levels distinguished active from inactive lupus nephritis (P = 0.02) and were positively associated with proteinuria (P = 0.009).

Conclusion

The 5 IFN‐inducible genes were highly expressed in SLE patients, and increased levels were correlated with disease activity defined by several methods. IFN scores, or LY6E levels, were elevated in lupus nephritis patients, especially during active renal disease, and in patients with anti‐dsDNA antibody positivity and hypocomplementemia. IFN scores, or LY6E levels, may be useful as a biomarker for lupus nephritis therapy.