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Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
Published on: June 8, 2022
The search for lupus biomarkers
Chau-Ching Liu1, Joseph M Ahearn
1Lupus Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh Schools of Health Sciences, 3500 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. liu5@pitt.edu
Best Practice & Research. Clinical Rheumatology
|July 14, 2009
Summary
Identifying reliable biomarkers for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is crucial for patient care and drug development. Current research explores various markers for susceptibility, diagnosis, and monitoring, but large-scale validation is needed.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) lacks validated biomarkers for clinical decision-making, hindering patient management and therapeutic development.
- The absence of specific biomarkers impedes precise monitoring and targeted treatment strategies for SLE patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical context of lupus biomarker research.
- To summarize current promising biomarkers for SLE susceptibility, diagnosis, and disease activity.
- To highlight the need for rigorous validation of novel SLE biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on SLE biomarkers.
- Identification and categorization of candidate biomarkers based on their potential application (susceptibility, diagnosis, activity, organ involvement).
Main Results:
- Several laboratory markers show promise, including complement C4 gene variations, cell-bound complement C4d, CD27(high) plasma cells, interferon signature, anti-C1q, and anti-NMDA antibodies.
- These markers are associated with SLE susceptibility, diagnosis, disease activity, and organ involvement.
Conclusions:
- Despite promising candidates, rigorous, large-scale multicenter validation is essential for clinical implementation of SLE biomarkers.
- Advancing biomarker discovery is critical for improving SLE clinical management and accelerating the development of novel therapeutics.
