DNase1 activity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with and without nephropathy.
The objective of the study is to determine whether the activity of DNase1 is associated to the presence of nephropathy in patients with SLE. Forty-five patients affected with SLE and renal involvement were analyzed. The type of renal involvement was type III or IV glomerulonephritis. At least two serum samples were withdrawn from each patient, one obtained in a renal flare and the other obtained in a period of clinical stability. C3 and C4 complement levels and anti-DNA antibodies were determined. DNase1 activity was measured using a radial enzyme-diffusion method. Results suggest that when comparison of DNase1 activity was established between samples obtained during a phase of active renal involvement and those obtained in the clinically stable phase, we did not find statistically significant differences. When the comparison was performed with matched samples of the same patient, DNase1 activity was lower when patients had active renal involvement than when samples were taken in clinically stable phase (21.21 μg/ml ± 16.47 vs. 25.62 μg/ml ± 18.81, p < 0.05). No difference in DNase1 activity was observed between samples positive or negative for anti-DNA antibodies. No difference in DNase1 activity was found in patients with normal or decreased levels of C3 (25.09 μg/ml ± 17.78 vs. 20.01 μg/ml ± 16.15, p = 0.073) or C4 (23.52 μm/ml ± 16.60 vs. 19.62 μg/ml ± 17.54, p = 0.060). We conclude that low DNase1 activity is associated to the active phase of type III or IV nephropathy. Therefore, it is possible that this enzyme plays an important role in the development of SLE nephropathy.
Research Unit in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain. ferranmartinezvalle@gmail.com
Fernando
F
Martinez-Valle
Eva
E
Balada
Josep
J
Ordi-Ros
Segundo
S
Bujan-Rivas
Agustin
A
Sellas-Fernandez
Miquel
M
Vilardell-Tarres
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I