Serum progranulin: A potential marker of SLE activity

The assessment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity is considered a challenge to patients and physicians. In the last few years, there was evidence that progranulin (PGRN) may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, so, it might be a suitable marker for the assessment of disease activity. In this study, we aimed to identify the role of PGRN in SLE pathogenesis and its association with disease activity and organ damage. This case-control study included 50 SLE patients, 20 patients with autoimmune diseases other than SLE, and 20 apparently healthy adults as a control group. The concentration of serum PGRN was assayed in all studied participants by using quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that serum PGRN levels were significantly higher among SLE patients when compared to the group of patients with autoimmune diseases other than SLE, as well as when compared to the control group. There was a significant positive correlation of serum PGRN levels of SLE patients with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 24 hours urine protein, SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI)-2k score, and SLICC/ACR damage index (SDI) score; while there was a negative correlation with C3, C4 and hemoglobin concentrations. Thus, we concluded that serum PGRN could be a useful biomarker of SLE disease activity.