Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the expression of B cell activating factor (BAFF) and BAFF receptor in patients with disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Real-time RT-PCR was used to examine BAFF mRNA expression in peripheral blood monocytes of active and stable SLE patients and healthy controls. The percentage of BAFF receptor 3 (BR3) on B lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometry. Soluble BAFF levels in serum were assayed by ELISA. Microalbumin levels were assayed by an automatic immune analysis machine. BAFF mRNA and soluble BAFF levels were highest in the active SLE group, followed by the stable SLE group, and controls (P<0.01). The percentage of BR3 on B lymphocytes was downregulated in the active SLE group compared with the stable SLE group and controls (P<0.01). BAFF mRNA levels and soluble BAFF levels were higher in patients who were positive for proteinuria than in those who were negative (P<0.01). The percentage of BR3 on B lymphocytes was lower in patients who were positive for proteinuria than in those who were negative (P<0.01). The BAFF/BR3 axis may be over-activated in SLE patients. BAFF and BR3 levels may be useful parameters for evaluating treatment.
Highlights
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic systemic autoimmune disease
There were no significant differences in age, sex, and body mass index between cases and controls (Table 1)
Detectable BAFF mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was significantly higher in active SLE patients (3.92±0.31) compared with inactive patients (2.58±0.31) and controls (1.72±0.36, both Po0.05, Figure 1)
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic systemic autoimmune disease. Recent clinical and experimental studies have indicated that B cells play important roles in the pathogenesis of disease, and this contributes to the development of SLE by presenting antigens and producing cytokines. Through binding to its receptors, BAFF exerts strong stimulation on B cells, and plays a central role in promoting B cell survival and maturation [5,6]. Transgenic mice that overexpress BAFF develop autoimmune disease resembling human lupus [7]. By investigating the associations of BAFF and its receptors with clinical characteristics, we attempted to determine the status and actions of BAFF in SLE, identify new biomarkers for disease activity, and provide evidence for target therapy
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