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Möckel T, Boegel S, Schwarting A. Transcriptome Analysis of BAFF/BAFF-R System in Murine Nephrotoxic Serum Nephritis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5415. [PMID: 38791453 PMCID: PMC11121395 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging cause for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Acute kidney injury (AKI) can transition to CKD and finally to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Targeted treatment is still unavailable. NF-κB signaling is associated with CKD and activated by B cell activating factor (BAFF) via BAFF-R binding. In turn, renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) are critical for the progression of fibrosis and producing BAFF. Therefore, the direct involvement of the BAFF/BAFF-R system to the pathogenesis of CKD is conceivable. We performed non-accelerated nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NTN) as the CKD model in BAFF KO (B6.129S2-Tnfsf13btm1Msc/J), BAFF-R KO (B6(Cg)-Tnfrsf13ctm1Mass/J) and wildtype (C57BL/6J) mice to analyze the BAFF/BAFF-R system in anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease using high throughput RNA sequencing. We found that BAFF signaling is directly involved in the upregulation of collagen III as BAFF ko mice showed a reduced expression. However, these effects were not mediated via BAFF-R. We identified several upregulated genes that could explain the effects of BAFF in chronic kidney injury such as Txnip, Gpx3, Igfbp7, Ccn2, Kap, Umod and Ren1. Thus, we conclude that targeted treatment with anti-BAFF drugs such as belimumab may reduce chronic kidney damage. Furthermore, upregulated genes may be useful prognostic CKD biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Möckel
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (T.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Sebastian Boegel
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (T.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Andreas Schwarting
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (T.M.); (S.B.)
- Center for Rheumatic Disease Rhineland-Palatinate GmbH, 55543 Bad Kreuznach, Germany
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2
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Rezazadeh M, Jokar MH, Mehrnaz Aghili S, Mirfeizi Z, Mahmoudi M, Morovatdar N, Hashemzadeh K. Association between levels of serum and urinary B cell-activating factor and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity. Arch Rheumatol 2023; 38:429-440. [PMID: 38046245 PMCID: PMC10689013 DOI: 10.46497/archrheumatol.2023.9549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study investigated the correlation between serum and urinary B cell-activating factor (BAFF) levels and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity. Patients and methods This case-control study was conducted with 87 participants between December 2020 and September 2021. Sixty-two SLE patients who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were enrolled. SLE patients were categorized into active (n=34) and inactive (n=28) groups based on their Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) scores. The control group consisted of 25 healthy subjects. Serum and urine samples were collected for the measurement of BAFF levels. Finally, the relationship between these variables and SLE disease activity was investigated. Results The mean age of active (SLEDAI-2K >4) and inactive (SLEDAI-2K ≤4) SLE patients and healthy individuals were 32.8±7.8, 32.5±6.8, and 31.7±7.8 years, respectively (p=0.62). The median serum BAFF (s-BAFF) and urinary BAFF (u-BAFF) in active lupus patients (10.4 [2.3] ng/mL and 8.2 [3.7] ng/mL, respectively) were significantly higher than in inactive lupus patients (6 (7.1) ng/mL and 1.7 (4.7) ng/mL, respectively; p<0.001) and the control group (3 (3.7) ng/mL and 1.6 (2.2) ng/mL, respectively; p<0.001). However, s-BAFF (p=0.07) and u-BAFF (p=0.43) did not significantly differ between the inactive group and the control group. A significant positive correlation was observed between s-BAFF (r=0.41 and p=0.001) and u-BAFF (r=0.78 and p<0.001) levels and the SLEDAI-2K score. Conclusion There is a significant positive correlation between serum and urinary BAFF levels and SLE disease activity. Furthermore, significantly higher levels of s-BAFF and u-BAFF have been observed in patients with active lupus compared to inactive and healthy subjects, indicating a possible role for BAFF in the pathogenesis of SLE disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Rezazadeh
- Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hasan Jokar
- Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Mehrnaz Aghili
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zahra Mirfeizi
- Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Mahmoudi
- Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Negar Morovatdar
- Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Clinical Research Unit, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Kamila Hashemzadeh
- Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad, Iran
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3
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Plüß M, Piantoni S, Tampe B, Kim AHJ, Korsten P. Belimumab for systemic lupus erythematosus - Focus on lupus nephritis. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2072143. [PMID: 35588699 PMCID: PMC9359396 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2072143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, advances in the treatment and management of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have improved their life expectancy and quality of life. However, lupus nephritis (LN) still represents a major life-threatening complication of the disease. Belimumab (BEL), a fully human monoclonal IgG1λ antibody neutralizing soluble B cell activating factor, was approved more than ten years ago as add-on therapy in adults and pediatric patients with a highly active, autoantibody-positive disease despite standard of care (SoC). Recently, the superiority of the addition of BEL to SoC was also demonstrated in LN. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the study landscape, available therapeutic options for SLE (focusing on BEL in renal and non-renal SLE), and new perspectives in the treatment field of this disease. A personalized treatment approach will likely become available with the advent of novel therapeutic agents for SLE and LN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Plüß
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvia Piantoni
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Björn Tampe
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alfred H J Kim
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.,Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.,Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center of Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Peter Korsten
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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An Q, Gao J, Liu L, Liao R, Shuai Z. Analysis of Foveal Microvascular Abnormalities in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2021; 29:1392-1397. [PMID: 32286113 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2020.1735452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: To analyze the abnormalities of foveal microvasculature in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods: A cross-sectional study of 41 eyes of patients diagnosed with SLE and 40 eyes of healthy controls. Sections measuring 6 mm×6 mm centered on the fovea were obtained using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).Results: The area and perimeter of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in SLE patients were greater than those in controls (both p < .05). The parafoveal vessel densities in the deep capillary plexus (DCP) of SLE patients were significantly decreased than those in controls (p < .001). There was a negative correlation between SLE disease activity index and parafoveal vessel density in DCP (p < .05).Conclusion: Enlargement of the FAZ and decline of the parafoveal vessel density of DCP were revealed by OCTA in patients with SLE. Moreover, a negative correlation between parafoveal vessel density in DCP and disease activity index was detected in SLE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi An
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lun Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Rongfeng Liao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zongwen Shuai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Levy RA, Gonzalez-Rivera T, Khamashta M, Fox NL, Jones-Leone A, Rubin B, Burriss SW, Gairy K, van Maurik A, Roth DA. 10 Years of belimumab experience: What have we learnt? Lupus 2021; 30:1705-1721. [PMID: 34238087 PMCID: PMC8564244 DOI: 10.1177/09612033211028653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting both adults and children. Belimumab is the only biologic approved for SLE, and the first in a class of drugs known as B-lymphocyte stimulator-specific inhibitors. The introduction of intravenous belimumab in 2011 was a major advance, being the first new therapy approved for SLE in over 50 years. As of April 2021, more than 7200 people with SLE have received belimumab in clinical studies, and it is approved in over 75 countries for the treatment of adults with SLE. A subcutaneous, self-injectable belimumab formulation was licensed in 2017 by both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA). Belimumab was then approved for use in children in Europe, the USA and Japan in 2019, and China and Brazil in 2020. Recently, belimumab became the first FDA-approved drug for the treatment of adults with active lupus nephritis (LN), the most-common severe manifestation of SLE.Over the past 10 years, belimumab has established its position as a disease modifier in the SLE treatment paradigms. Robust evidence from randomised clinical studies and observational, real-world studies has demonstrated the tolerability and efficacy of belimumab for reducing disease activity and the risk of new, severe SLE flares. This enables patients to taper their glucocorticoid use, which limits damage accumulation. Significantly more patients with active LN met the criteria for renal responses and were at less risk of a renal-related event or death after receiving belimumab plus standard therapy, compared with standard therapy on top of mandatory steroid reduction. Ongoing clinical studies are evaluating belimumab's effectiveness in various indications beyond SLE. Post-marketing and registry studies are gathering additional data on key areas such as pregnancy outcomes after belimumab exposure and belimumab co-administration with other biologics.
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Möckel T, Basta F, Weinmann-Menke J, Schwarting A. B cell activating factor (BAFF): Structure, functions, autoimmunity and clinical implications in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Autoimmun Rev 2020; 20:102736. [PMID: 33333233 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The B cell activating factor (BAFF), or B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), is a B cell survival factor which supports autoreactive B cells and prevents their deletion. BAFF expression is closely linked with autoimmunity and is enhanced by genetic alterations and viral infections. Furthermore, BAFF seems to be involved in adipogenesis, atherosclerosis, neuro-inflammatory processes and ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. BAFF is commonly overexpressed in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and strongly involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. The relationship between BAFF levels, disease activity and damage accrual in SLE is controversial, but growing evidence is emerging on its role in renal involvement. Belimumab, a biologic BAFF inhibitor, has been the first biologic agent licensed for SLE therapy so far. As Rituximab (RTX) has been shown to increase BAFF levels following B cell depletion, the combination therapy of RTX plus belimumab (being evaluated in two RCT) seems to be a valuable option for several clinical scenarios. In this review we will highlight the growing body of evidence of immune and non-immune related BAFF expression in experimental and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Möckel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Fabio Basta
- Acura Rheumatology Center Rhineland Palatinate, Bad Kreuznach, Germany
| | - Julia Weinmann-Menke
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Nephrology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas Schwarting
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; Acura Rheumatology Center Rhineland Palatinate, Bad Kreuznach, Germany
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7
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Carrillo-Ballesteros FJ, Palafox-Sánchez CA, Franco-Topete RA, Muñoz-Valle JF, Orozco-Barocio G, Martínez-Bonilla GE, Gómez-López CE, Marín-Rosales M, López-Villalobos EF, Luquin S, Castañeda-Chávez A, Oregon-Romero E. Expression of BAFF and BAFF receptors in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients with ectopic germinal center-like structures. Clin Exp Med 2020; 20:615-626. [PMID: 32506205 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-020-00637-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
B cell-activating factor (BAFF) is an essential cytokine in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) physiopathology. It has been reported that pSS patients develop germinal center-like (GC-like) structures in their minor salivary glands (MSGs). BAFF, BAFF-R, TACI, and BCMA expression was analyzed in MSGs from 29 subjects (nonspecific chronic sialadenitis and focal lymphocytic sialadenitis with the presence [pSS-GC(+)] or absence [pSS-GC(-)] of GC-like structures). Twenty-four percent of patients showed ectopic GC-like structures and a high focus score [p < 0.001 vs pSS-GC(-)]. BAFF serum levels (sBAFF) were high in pSS patients (p = 0.025 vs healthy subjects). However, the pSS-GC(-) group showed higher sBAFF levels than pSS-GC(+) patients. BAFF and BAFF-R glandular expression levels were higher in pSS-GC(+) patients, without significant differences compared to pSS-GC(-) patients. Soluble levels of BAFF correlated with anti-La/SSB antibodies and disease duration. Our results showed that BAFF could contribute to focal lymphocytic infiltration. The role of BAFF-binding receptors in MSGs is proposed as a mechanism for the possible establishment of ectopic GC-like structures and disease progression in some patients. In conclusion, this study supports previous evidence that considers the active BAFF system role in the pathogenesis of pSS and the need for strong biomarkers in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Carrillo-Ballesteros
- Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas (IICB), Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada 950, Edificio Q, primer piso, 44340, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - C A Palafox-Sánchez
- Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas (IICB), Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada 950, Edificio Q, primer piso, 44340, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - R A Franco-Topete
- Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - J F Muñoz-Valle
- Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas (IICB), Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada 950, Edificio Q, primer piso, 44340, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - G Orozco-Barocio
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital General de Occidente, Zapopan, JAL, Mexico
| | - G E Martínez-Bonilla
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde", Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - C E Gómez-López
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde", Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - M Marín-Rosales
- Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas (IICB), Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada 950, Edificio Q, primer piso, 44340, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - E F López-Villalobos
- Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas (IICB), Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada 950, Edificio Q, primer piso, 44340, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - S Luquin
- Laboratorio de Microscopia de Alta Resolución, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
| | - A Castañeda-Chávez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital General de Occidente, Zapopan, JAL, Mexico
| | - Edith Oregon-Romero
- Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas (IICB), Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada 950, Edificio Q, primer piso, 44340, Guadalajara, JAL, Mexico.
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Howe HS, Leung BPL. Anti-Cytokine Autoantibodies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Cells 2019; 9:E72. [PMID: 31892200 PMCID: PMC7016754 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokine dysregulation is characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a systemic autoimmune disease of considerable heterogeneity. Insights gained about the cytokine dysregulation in SLE have the potential for identifying patient subsets before the onset of clinical disease and during established disease. Clustering patients by cytokine and disease activity subsets is more informative than isolated cytokine studies, as both pro inflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines contribute to the cytokine dysregulated state in SLE. Endogenous anti-cytokine autoantibodies (ACAAs) may be involved in the regulation of cytokine biology by reducing excessive production or by prolonging their half-life in the circulation through the formation of cytokine-antibody immune complexes. Although endogenous ACAAs may have deleterious effects such as contributing to immunodeficiency states, their role in the pathophysiology of autoimmune conditions such as SLE has yet to be clearly elucidated. The aim of the present article is to provide a focused review of the current knowledge of ACAAs in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwee Siew Howe
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433, Singapore;
| | - Bernard Pui Lam Leung
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 308433, Singapore;
- Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore 138683, Singapore
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Friebus-Kardash J, Trendelenburg M, Eisenberger U, Ribi C, Chizzolini C, Huynh-Do U, Lang KS, Wilde B, Kribben A, Witzke O, Dolff S, Hardt C. Susceptibility of BAFF-var allele carriers to severe SLE with occurrence of lupus nephritis. BMC Nephrol 2019; 20:430. [PMID: 31752784 PMCID: PMC6873527 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-019-1623-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulation of the B-cell activating factor (BAFF) system is involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Increased serum concentrations of BAFF are related to lupus nephritis and disease activity among SLE patients. Recently, a variant of the BAFF-encoding gene, BAFF-var, was identified to be associated with autoimmune diseases, in particular SLE, and to promote the production of soluble BAFF. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of BAFF-var in a cohort of 195 SLE patients and to analyze the association of the BAFF-var genotype (TNSF13B) with various manifestations of SLE. METHODS A cohort of 195 SLE patients from Central Europe, including 153 patients from the Swiss SLE Cohort Study and 42 patients from the University Hospital Essen, Germany, underwent genotyping for detection of BAFF-var allele. RESULTS Of the 195 patients, 18 (9.2%) tested positive for BAFF-var variant according to the minor allele frequency of 4.6%. The presence of BAFF-var was associated with the occurrence of lupus nephritis (p = 0.038) (p = 0.03 and p = 0.003). Among various organ manifestations of SLE, the presence of BAFF-var was associated with the occurrence of lupus nephritis (p = 0.038; odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89-6.34) and renal activity markers such as proteinuria and hematuria (p = 0.03; OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 0.9-6.4 for proteinuria; p = 0.003; OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.43-10.76 for hematuria). SLE patients carrying the BAFF-var allele exhibited increased disease activity at study entry, as determined by the physician's global assessment (PGA: p = 0.002; OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.54-14.93) and the SLE Disease Activity Index (p = 0.012; OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.12-11.18). Consistent with that, the percentage of patients treated with immunosuppressive agents at study entry was higher among those carrying the BAFF-var allele than among those tested negative for BAFF-var (p = 0.006; OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.27-10.84). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate an association between the BAFF-var genotype and increased severity of SLE. Determining the BAFF-var status of SLE patients may improve the risk stratification of patients for whom the development of lupus nephritis is more likely and thus may be helpful in the follow-up care and treatment of SLE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justa Friebus-Kardash
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Germany. .,Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.
| | - Marten Trendelenburg
- Division of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital, Spitalstraße 21, 4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ute Eisenberger
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Camillo Ribi
- Immunology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1005, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Chizzolini
- Immunology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Uyen Huynh-Do
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital, Freiburgstraße 18, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Karl Sebastian Lang
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Wilde
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Kribben
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dolff
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Cornelia Hardt
- Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
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