Article Text
Abstract
Objective: To determine whether serum levels of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are altered in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and correlate with disease parameters.
Methods: Clinical and biological parameters were analyzed for 43 patients that fulfilled American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for SLE classification and were positive for anti dsDNA antibodies at least once in their medical record. Tests included measurement of serum levels of the TNF family members APRIL and B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS, a cytokine shown to promote SLE disease).
Results: Median APRIL levels were elevated in SLE patients compared to osteoarthritis patients and healthy controls, but did not correlate with the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). APRIL serum levels showed an inverse correlation with BLyS serum levels (r = 0.339; p = 0.03). For SLE patients with positive anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) titers (> 40 UA/ml) at inclusion (n = 25), circulating APRIL was inversely correlated with BLyS levels (r = -0.465; p = 0.022) and anti-dsDNA antibody titers (r = -0.411; p = 0.046). In a follow-up study at their second visit, 27 patients showed an inverse correlation with BLyS (r = 0.398; p = 0.03) and anti-dsDNA (r = -0.408; p = 0.03) titers, as well as an inverse correlation of APRIL serum levels with SLEDAI (r = -0.408; p = 0.01).
Conclusion: The inverse correlation observed between APRIL and BLyS suggests that APRIL acts as a protective factor. APRIL and BLyS may thus have opposite roles in SLE, which must be considered when defining therapeutic applications of these cytokines.