Sialyltransferase and Neuraminidase Levels/Ratios and Sialic Acid Levels in Peripheral Blood B Cells Correlate with Measures of Disease Activity in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study.

Lieh-bang Liou,Che-ching Huang,Jose Crispin

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0151669

Abstract

ObjectiveWe attempted to determine whether the level of enzymes sialyltransferase (ST) and neuraminidase (Neu) and sialic acid (SIA) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) correlates with the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) correlates with the Disease Activity Score28 (DAS28).MethodsWe examined cell-surface levels of ST6Gal-1, Neu1, ST3Gal-1, Neu3, α-2,6-SIA, and α-2,3-SIA by using fluorescent anti-enzyme antibodies, fluorescent-conjugated Sambucus nigra lectin, and fluorescent-conjugated Maackia amurensis lectin on blood cells in SLE and RA patients and assessed correlations of these levels with SLEDAI and with DAS28. Areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated for different variables against SLEDAI.ResultsThe B-cell ST3Gal-1/Neu3 ratio positively correlated with SLEDAI scores (ρ = 0.409 and P = 0.002, statistically significant after Bonferroni’ correction for multiple analyses.). It was supported by the inverse correlation of B-cell Neu3 levels with SLEDAI scores (ρ = −0.264, P = 0.048). The B-cell ST3Gal-1/Neu3 ratio against SLEDAI yielded an AUC of 0.689, which was comparable to that of anti-dsDNA levels at 0.635. In contrast, both ST3Gal-1 and Neu3 levels of RA B cells (r = 0.376, P = 0.013; r = 0.425, P = 0.005, respectively) correlated positively with high disease-activity DAS28 scores.ConclusionB-cell ST3Gal-1/Neu3 ratios in SLE and B-cell ST3Gal-1 and Neu3 levels in RA with high disease-activity DAS28 scores correlated with disease activity measures and may be useful in monitoring disease activities.

Highlights

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by polyclonal Bcell activation and the presence of many autoantibodies against a variety of autoantigens
The B-cell ST3Gal-1/Neu3 ratio positively correlated with SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores (ρ = 0.409 and P = 0.002, statistically significant after Bonferroni’ correction for multiple analyses.)
B-cell ST3Gal-1/Neu3 ratios in SLE and B-cell ST3Gal-1 and Neu3 levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with high disease-activity Disease Activity Score28 (DAS28) scores correlated with disease activity measures and may be useful in monitoring disease activities

Summary

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by polyclonal Bcell activation and the presence of many autoantibodies against a variety of autoantigens. The anti-dsDNA antibody is important in SLE and has long been used as a classification criterion and marker of disease activity, especially in lupus nephritis, though a study of clinical data [1] challenged the prognostic value of the anti-dsDNA antibody for disease flares. Most recently, the latter view is supported by an article that suggests that anti-dsDNA status does not seem to influence lupus disease activity [2]. Immune cell abnormalities need to be paid attention to

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