Clinical importance of autoantibodies in lupus nephritis

Renal involvement is a serious clinical feature of systemic lupus erythematosus and can present at any stage of the disease. Although its treatment and outcome have improved, lupus nephritis is still a major contributor to morbidity. Autoantibodies, particularly those directed toward nuclear antigens, are a major feature of systemic lupus erythematosus. With respect to nephritis, there are several aspects of lupus autoantibodies that merit attention, including their use in diagnosis and monitoring, and their role in pathogenesis. Anti-dsDNA antibodies are well known, but other important autoantibodies include anti-C1q, antinucleosomal and antiactinin. There has also been interesting work on the relationship of antiphospholipid antibodies with renal disease.