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The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: November 1, 2015
Reticulocyte analysis in systemic lupus erythematosus and chronic renal failure using flow cytometry.
P Butthep1, S Jindadamrongwech, P Kaewkethong
1Hematology Division, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology
|January 28, 2003
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and chronic renal failure (CRF) patients show increased reticulocyte counts but immature cells. CRF patients exhibit elevated mean corpuscular reticulocyte volume, suggesting renal involvement impacts red blood cell production.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Nephrology
- Immunology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and chronic renal failure (CRF) are complex conditions affecting multiple organ systems.
- Erythropoiesis, the process of red blood cell production, can be altered in various disease states.
- Reticulocytes, immature red blood cells, serve as indicators of bone marrow erythropoietic activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate erythropoietic activity in patients with SLE and CRF by analyzing circulating reticulocytes.
- To compare reticulocyte number, maturation, and mean corpuscular reticulocyte volume (MCVr) between SLE, CRF, and healthy individuals.
- To investigate the potential association between renal involvement and altered reticulocyte parameters.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an automated hematological analyzer (Technicon H*3 RTX) for reticulocyte analysis.
- Measured reticulocyte count and degree of maturation in patients and controls.
- Determined mean corpuscular reticulocyte volume (MCVr) for all groups.
Main Results:
- Both SLE and CRF patients presented with increased reticulocyte numbers and decreased maturation.
- SLE patients showed no significant change in MCVr compared to normal subjects.
- CRF patients exhibited a statistically significant increase in MCVr (p=0.0019) compared to controls.
- SLE patients with nephrotic syndrome displayed notably high MCVr values.
Conclusions:
- Increased reticulocyte count with low maturation is characteristic of both SLE and CRF.
- Elevated MCVr in CRF patients suggests impaired erythropoiesis potentially linked to renal dysfunction.
- Renal involvement in SLE, particularly with nephrotic syndrome, may also be associated with increased MCVr, indicating a link between kidney health and red blood cell maturation.

