Urinary TWEAK Level as a Marker of Lupus Nephritis Activity in 46 Cases

Li Jun,Xu Xiangqing,Zhu Xuejing,Yuan Shuguang,Tan Jiazhen,Liu Fuyou

doi:10.1155/2012/359647

Abstract

Objective. This study is designed to observe the urinary tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) levels in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and to identify new biomarker of lupus nephritis activity. Methods. Study subjects were 46 cases of patients with LN (including 34 of active cases) who underwent routine renal biopsy. Activity and chronicity indexes of LN were assessed using pathological criteria proposed by Hill et al. in 2000. Urinary TWEAK (uTWEAK) level and Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) level were detected by ELISA. Results. Urinary TWEAK level was significantly higher in active LN group than in non-active LN group. Correlation analysis showed that urinary TWEAK levels were significantly correlated with activity index (r = 0.825, P < 0.01), glomerular activity index (r = 0.754, P < 0.01), and tubulointerstitial qualitative activity index (r = 0.751, P < 0.01), while not significant correlated with chronicity Index (P > 0.05). The association between urinary TWEAK levels and urinary MCP-1 levels were significant in active LN group (r = 0.809, P < 0.01) but not significant in non-active LN group (P > 0.05). Conclusions. uWEAK levels were correlated with all active indexes of LN, suggesting its potential role as novel biomarker of active lupus nephritis.

Highlights

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by complex clinical manifestation and chronic inflammatory processes involving autoimmunity against multiple systems and multiple organs
Results showed that the urinary Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels of patients with Lupus nephritis (LN) had significantly positive correlation (r = 0.800, P < 0.01) with Active Index (AI), including Glomerular Activity Index (GAI), and those with Tubulointerstitial Activity Index (TIAI) but had no significant correlation (P > 0.05) with Chronicity Index (CI) (Figure 4)
Several studies have found that a disorder of the regulation of apoptosis is an important factor in SLE progress, such as tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) [6]

Summary

Objective

This study is designed to observe the urinary tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) levels in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and to identify new biomarker of lupus nephritis activity. Urinary TWEAK (uTWEAK) level and Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) level were detected by ELISA. Urinary TWEAK level was significantly higher in active LN group than in non-active LN group. Correlation analysis showed that urinary TWEAK levels were significantly correlated with activity index (r = 0.825, P < 0.01), glomerular activity index (r = 0.754, P < 0.01), and tubulointerstitial qualitative activity index (r = 0.751, P < 0.01), while not significant correlated with chronicity Index (P > 0.05). UWEAK levels were correlated with all active indexes of LN, suggesting its potential role as novel biomarker of active lupus nephritis Conclusions. uWEAK levels were correlated with all active indexes of LN, suggesting its potential role as novel biomarker of active lupus nephritis

Introduction

Patients and Methods

Results

Discussion