Novel biomarkers identified for lupus nephritis
A research team from the University of Houston (TX, USA) have uncovered new biomarkers for lupus nephritis. The research, published in the Journal of Autoimmunity, applied the study of protein interactions, function, composition and structure to urine samples of individuals with lupus nephritis. The team’s analysis uncovered that several proteins were significantly elevated in samples from lupus patients with active renal disease.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease caused when the body attacks its own tissues and organs and inflammation from the disease can affect different parts of the body. Lupus nephritis is one of the most common clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus and a leading cause of death.
The study validated previously reported urine biomarkers for active renal lupus including ALCAM, CD163, MCP1, SELL, ICAM1, VCAM1, NGAL and TWEAK. Additionally, several new protein biomarkers were identified including ICAM2, FABP4, FASLG, IGFBP-2, SELE and TNFSF13B/BAFF.
Chandra Mohan, Professor of Biomedical Engineering (University of Houston), commented:
“These studies add at least six novel urine biomarkers of active renal lupus validated across two ethnically diverse patient cohorts. We and others have reported several urine proteins that can serve as harbingers of renal involvement in lupus. Here, we report on a novel technique based on the use of antibodies and DNA amplification that can detect even low concentrations of proteins. This technique is called Proximity Extension Assay (PEA).”
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It is hoped that the identification of these new biomarkers can aid the prompt diagnosis of lupus nephritis and enable earlier treatment. Mohan concluded:
“These studies have expanded the repertoire of urinary proteins that can be used to monitor renal status in a patient with lupus.”
Sources: Li Y, Tang C, Vanarsa K et al. Proximity extension assay proteomics and renal single cell transcriptomics uncover novel urinary biomarkers for active lupus nephritis. J. Autoimmun. 143(103165) (2023); New Biomarkers for Lupus Nephritis Discovered – University of Houston (uh.edu)
