Serum protein pattern associated with organ damage and lupus nephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus revealed by PEA immunoassay.

Petrackova, Anna; Smrzova, Andrea; Gajdos, Petr; Schubertova, Marketa; Schneiderova, Petra; Kromer, Pavel; Snasel, Vaclav; Skacelova, Martina; Mrazek, Frantisek; Zadrazil, Josef; Horak, Pavel; Kriegova, Eva

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a remarkably heterogeneous autoimmune disease. Despite tremendous efforts, our knowledge of serum protein patterns in severe SLE phenotypes is still limited. We investigated the serum protein pattern of SLE, with special emphasis on irreversible organ damage and active lupus nephritis (LN) as assessed by renal Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index. Methods: We used proximity extension immunoassay (PEA, Proseek Multiplex, Olink) to assess the serum levels of ninety-two inflammation-related proteins in Czech patients with SLE (n = 75) and age-matched healthy control subjects (n = 23). Subgroup analysis was carried out on the basis of organ damage (with/without, 42/33) and biopsyproven LN (with/without, 27/48; active LN, n = 13; inactive LN, n = 14). Results: Of thirty deregulated proteins between SLE and the healthy controls (Pcorr corr corr corr < 0.05) were detected in active LN. Except GDNF, all LN-associated markers showed usefulness in prediction of active renal disease. Conclusions: This highly sensitive PEA analysis identified the serum pattern of SLE, organ damage, and active LN, with many novel candidate proteins detected. Their exact role and suitability as biomarkers in SLE deserve further investigation.

BLOOD proteins; LUPUS nephritis; SYSTEMIC lupus erythematosus; SIRTUINS; BIOPSY; DIAGNOSIS

Clinical Proteomics, 2017, Vol 14, p1

1542-6416

Academic Journal

10.1186/s12014-017-9167-8