Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2025
Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
Published on: June 8, 2022
Anti-factor H autoantibodies in patients with lupus nephritis
Galya Mihaylova1, Vasil Vasilev2, Mariya Kosturkova3
1Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine and Nutrigenomics, Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria.
Introduction:
Lupus nephritis (LN) is a disease marked by autoantibodies against complement components. Autoantibodies against negative complement regulator factor H (anti-FH) are prevalent in aHUS, are associated with deletion of factor H-related protein 1 (FHR1) gene, and have overt functional consequences. They are also observed in C3 glomerulopathies. The frequency and relevance of anti-FH in LN are poorly studied.
Aim:
The aim of our investigation was to screen for the presence of anti-FH and FHR1 gene deletion in a cohort of LN patients and to evaluate their association with LN activity.
Method:
ELISA test and Western blot for detection of anti-FH and FHR1 deletion were used, respectively. Patients' clinical and laboratory parameters regarding anti-FH role were processed by statistical analysis.
Results:
Anti-FH were found at low level in a small number of LN patients - 11.7% (7/60) and were not associated with deletion of FHR1. Anti-FH did not correlate with ANA titers, anti-dsDNA, C3/C4 hypocomplementemia, eGFR, proteinuria, or active urinary sediment in LN patients. A weak correlation was found between anti-FH and anti-C3 levels. Anti-FH were linked with endocapillary proliferation and histological activity index. Four anti-FH positive patients had severe to moderate LN as per the BILAG renal score.
Conclusions:
Anti-FH autoantibodies are an accessory finding in LN and are more likely to manifest during the active phase of the disease. Due to their low frequency and plasma levels, they do not seem suitable for routine laboratory investigation in patients with LN.
