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[Complement system in disseminated lupus erythematosus]
Insights
Complement component levels like C3, C4, and CH50 are often lower in patients with lupus erythematosus disseminatus (LED), especially during acute phases and with kidney involvement, suggesting complement system activation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Context:
- Lupus erythematosus disseminatus (LED) is an autoimmune disease.
- Complement system plays a role in immune responses and inflammation.
Purpose:
- To investigate complement component levels (C3, C4, CH50) in patients with LED.
- To explore the activation pathways of the complement system in LED, particularly in relation to lupus nephropathy.
Summary:
- Patients with LED showed lower mean levels of C3, C4, and CH50 compared to controls, though not always statistically significant.
- Complement component levels were reduced during acute phases of LED.
- C3 levels were significantly lower in patients with nephropathy.
- A positive correlation between C3 and C4 suggests classical complement pathway activation.
- A relationship between C3 and C3PA in patients with lupus nephropathy indicates alternative pathway involvement.
Impact:
- Findings suggest complement system activation via both classical and alternative pathways in LED.
- Highlights the role of complement in the pathogenesis of lupus erythematosus disseminatus and its complications like nephropathy.
- Provides insights into potential biomarkers for disease activity and kidney involvement in LED.
Abstract:
The levels of C3, C4 and CH50 in patients with lupus erythematosus disseminatus (LED) were lower than in the controls. However, although in many patients these levels were below the normal values, there was no statistically significant difference between the two group. The levels are reduced during the acute phases and in some patients they remain high. On the whole, C3 was lower in patients with nephropathy (p less than 0,025) than in patients presenting with clinical activity (p less than 0,02). The positive relationship existing between C3 and C4 (r = 0,641, p less than 0,01) suggests activation of the complement system in LED via the classic route. In cases with concurrent lupus nephropathy a relationship between C3 and C3PA was seen, suggesting that in this case the alternative route is involved.