Correlation between sCTLA-4 and sCD86 Levels with Disease Activity of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Patients Based on SLEDAI Score

Abstract

Background. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with multisystem involvement which arises from multifactorial causes. Continuous exposure to autoantigens and chronic activation of the immune system, especially memory T lymphocytes, contribute to premature immunosenescence. sCTLA-4 and sCD86 are soluble costimulatory molecules of CTLA-4 and CD86, which play a role in the occurrence of immunosenescence in SLE. The presence of immunosenescence will cause higher morbidity and mortality. This research was conducted to establish the correlation between the increased levels of sCTLA-4 and sCD86 and the severity of SLE, as measured by the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score. Methods. This analytical observational research utilized a cross-sectional approach involving 35 female SLE patients diagnosed according to the SLICC 2012 criteria. SLE disease activity was measured using SLEDAI score. Serum sCTLA-4 and sCD86 levels were measured using the ELISA method. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney test for comparisons and the Spearman test for correlation analysis, with a significance level of p<0.05. Results. sCTLA-4 levels were higher and significantly different in patients with moderate SLE (p=<0.001; p<0.05), and there was no significant difference in sCD86 levels (p=0.915; p>0.05). Increased sCTLA-4 levels were positively correlated with the severity of SLE (r =0.361, p=0.033), while no significant correlation was observed in sCD86 levels (r=-0.094, p=0.591). Conclusion. Elevated sCTLA-4 levels were positively correlated with increased severity of SLE based on the SLEDAI score.