Abstract
IntroductionA role for mannose binding lectin (MBL) in autoimmune diseases has been demonstrated earlier and elevated level of MBL has been shown in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. In the current study, we investigated MBL as a potential biomarker for disease activity in SLE.MethodsIn a case control study SLE patients (93 females) and 67 age, sex, ethnicity matched healthy controls were enrolled. Plasma MBL levels were quantified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical, serological and other markers of disease activity (C3, C4 and anti-dsDNA) were measured by standard laboratory procedures.ResultsPlasma MBL levels were significantly high in SLE patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001). MBL levels were variable in different clinical categories of SLE. Lower levels were associated with musculoskeletal and cutaneous manifestations (P = 0.002), while higher and intermediate MBL levels were significantly associated with nephritis in combination with other systemic manifestations (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04 respectively). Plasma MBL correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) (P = 0.0003, r = 0.36), anti-dsDNA (P < 0.0001, r = 0.54), proteinuria (P < 0.0001, r = 0.42) and negatively correlated with C3 (P = 0.007, r = -0.27) and C4 (P = 0.01, r = -0.29).ConclusionsPlasma MBL is a promising marker in the assessment of SLE disease activity.
Highlights
A role for mannose binding lectin (MBL) in autoimmune diseases has been demonstrated earlier and elevated level of MBL has been shown in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients
The current study investigates the association between plasma MBL levels and SLE disease activity in a cohort of female patients from Eastern India
Plasma MBL levels in SLE patients and healthy controls SLE patients displayed significantly higher levels of MBL compared to the HCs (P < 0.0001) (Figure 1A)
Summary
A role for mannose binding lectin (MBL) in autoimmune diseases has been demonstrated earlier and elevated level of MBL has been shown in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. We investigated MBL as a potential biomarker for disease activity in SLE. The etiology of the disease is still unclear, environmental, host genetic and hormonal factors have been proposed to play major roles in pathogenesis of SLE [2]. Several factors are thought to be responsible for poor survival rates, the most important being delayed diagnosis [6]. Several serological biomarkers such as complement components
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
