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.
Department of Molecular Physiology, Institute of Biotechnology, The National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
J L
JL
Montiel
A
A
Monsiváis-Urenda
N
N
Figueroa-Vega
J F
JF
Moctezuma
R
R
Burgos-Vargas
R
R
González-Amaro
Y
Y
Rosenstein
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