Serum  Lymphocyte Activating Factor of Tumor Necrosis Super family (BAFF) and a Proliferation Inducing Ligand (April): Correlation with Activity and Chronicity Indices in Egyptian Adolescent Lupus Patients with and Without Nephritis

Abstract

Dysfunction of the B lymphocyte is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN) intrarenal B cells have been found in several forms of inflammatory kidney disease. B lymphocyte stimulator signaling pathway by BAFF and its homologue APRIL has an important role in the selection, maturation and survival of B cells and plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).We aim at this study to investigate the serum level of BAFF, APRIL in Egyptian adolescent lupus nephritis patients and correlate their levels with grade and chronicity indices of LN and compare their result with their counterparts of adolescent lupus patients without lupus nephritis. This study included 60 adolescent patients: Group 1: 20 adolescent SLE patients with lupus nephritis. Group 2: 20 adolescent SLE patients without lupus nephritis. Group 3: 20 age and sex matched healthy subjects served as control group. In this study, BAFF ranged from 4.26-182., 3.25-166.0 and 2.1group I, II and III respectively, there were statistical significant differences between the three studied groups regarding BAFF, group I has statistically higher values than group II and III, also group II has statistically higher values than group III. APRIL ranged from 3.0-40.0, 2.0-42.5 and 7.0-45.0 with the mean of 7.988.25, 9.127.88 and 14.897.98 for group I, II and III respectively, there were statistical significant differences between the three studied groups regarding APRIL, group III has statistically higher values than group I and II, also group II has statistically higher values than group I. Regarding group I, there was positive significant correlation between ANA, activity index and chronicity index with BAFF, there was negative significant correlation between ANA, renal activity index, and chronicity index with APRIL. Regarding group II, there was positive significant correlation between ANA and Anti-DNA with BAFF, while there was negative significant correlation between ANA with APRIL.