Anti-CD43 and anti-galectin-1 autoantibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the production of multiple autoantibodies and also by T-cell dysfunction. CD43 is expressed by most immune cells, is involved in lymphocyte adhesion and activation, and interacts with galectin-1 (Gal-1). The aim of this work was to evaluate the plasma levels of autoantibodies against CD43 and Gal-1 as well as the levels of soluble Gal-1 in SLE Mexican mestizo patients, with the aim of establishing a correlation between these parameters and the clinical profile.


METHODS
Serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)G autoantibodies against CD43 and Gal-1 and levels of soluble Gal-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 55 patients with SLE and 71 healthy controls.


RESULTS
We found significantly enhanced titres of anti-CD43 and anti-Gal-1 antibodies in sera from SLE patients compared to controls. In addition, the serum levels of Gal-1 were significantly higher in SLE patients than in healthy individuals. However, we could detect no correlation of these parameters with disease activity [using the Mexican Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (MEX-SLEDAI)], age, or a variety of different clinical or laboratory features. Similarly, no significant correlation with immunosuppressive or glucocorticoid therapy was observed. By contrast, a significant association was found between anti-CD43 titres and time of disease evolution, complement levels, and the presence of anti-Gal-1 antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
As CD43 and Gal-1 participate in modulating the immune system, we suggest that the presence of autoantibodies against these molecules may contribute to the immune deregulation observed in SLE.
Montiel
J L
JL
Department of Molecular Physiology, Institute of Biotechnology, The National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Monsiváis-Urenda
A
A
Figueroa-Vega
N
N
Moctezuma
J F
JF
Burgos-Vargas
R
R
González-Amaro
R
R
Rosenstein
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D051917:Leukosialin / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D037483:Galectin 1; D051917:Leukosialin