Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
Published on: June 8, 2022
Elevated serum levels of soluble CX3CL1 in patients with microscopic polyangiitis
M Matsunawa1, T Odai, K Wakabayashi
1Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Objectives:
To test the hypothesis that CX3CL1 contributes to the pathogenesis of microscopic polyangiitis.
Methods:
Serum samples from 18 patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), who fulfilled the revised criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), were collected during both the newly diagnosed, untreated active disease states and inactive disease states. Also serum was from patients with large vessel vasculitis (LVV), including giant cell arteritis (n=4) and Takayasu arteritis (n=3), and from 52 healthy individuals. Soluble (s)CX3CL1 levels in serum were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Disease activity was assessed using Birmingham vasculitis activity scores (BVAS). Expression of CX3CR1 was examined by flow cytometry.
Results:
Serum sCX3CL1 levels were significantly higher in MPA patients than in either LVV group or healthy individuals. The elevated sCX3CL1 levels seen in MPA patients correlated positively with BVAS, as well as with CRP levels and ESR, and similarly increased expression of cell-surface CX3CR1 was seen on peripheral blood CD4 and CD8 T cells from patients with MPA. Notably, sCX3CL1 levels and CX3CR1 expression were diminished during clinical remission following treatment.
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that CX3CL1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of MPA, and may serve as a useful serologic marker of disease activity in systemic vasculitis.
Insights
Elevated levels of CX3CL1 (fractalkine) and its receptor CX3CR1 were found in patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). These levels correlated with disease activity and decreased upon remission, suggesting CX3CL1’s role in MPA pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases
Background:
- Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is a systemic vasculitis with complex pathogenesis.
- The role of chemokines, such as CX3CL1 (fractalkine), in MPA is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of CX3CL1 and its receptor CX3CR1 in the pathogenesis of microscopic polyangiitis.
- To determine if CX3CL1 levels correlate with disease activity in MPA.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 18 MPA patients (active and inactive disease), patients with large vessel vasculitis (LVV), and healthy controls.
- Soluble CX3CL1 (sCX3CL1) levels were measured by ELISA.
- CX3CR1 expression on T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry.
- Disease activity was assessed using Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Scores (BVAS), CRP, and ESR.
Main Results:
- Serum sCX3CL1 levels were significantly higher in MPA patients compared to LVV and healthy controls.
- Elevated sCX3CL1 levels positively correlated with BVAS, CRP, and ESR in MPA patients.
- Increased CX3CR1 expression was observed on CD4 and CD8 T cells in active MPA.
- sCX3CL1 levels and CX3CR1 expression decreased during clinical remission.
Conclusions:
- CX3CL1 appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of microscopic polyangiitis.
- sCX3CL1 may serve as a valuable serologic marker for assessing disease activity in systemic vasculitis.
