title: Association of serum B cell activating factor from the tumour necrosis factor family (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) with central nervous system and renal disease in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study is to determine whether serum concentrations of B cell activating factor from the tumour necrosis factor family (BAFF) and/or a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are associated with clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
  
  
  METHODS
  BAFF and APRIL concentrations were quantified using a commercial ELISA in serum samples obtained at the time of clinical assessment in 98 patients, and on 245 samples from 75 of these patients followed prospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum BAFF was significantly increased, and APRIL decreased, in patients with either renal or central nervous system (CNS) lupus. In contrast, in cross-sectional analysis, there was no correlation between disease activity (SLEDAI-2k) and serum BAFF or APRIL. In longitudinal follow-up, there was no association between changes in serum BAFF or APRIL and changes in SLEDAI-2k, or between baseline serum BAFF or APRIL and subsequent changes in SLEDAI-2k. However, between-visit changes in BAFF were significantly different in patients with increases in SLEDAI-2k ≥ 4, compared to patients whose SLEDAI-2k did not change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although neither serum BAFF nor APRIL correlated with disease activity in the overall population, elevated serum BAFF and reduced APRIL may be markers of renal and CNS disease in SLE patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Monash University, Central Clinical School, Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia. fabien.vincent@monash.edu
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Northcott
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Morand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D020945:Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13
keywords: A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL); B cell activating factor from the tumour necrosis factor family (BAFF); autoimmunity; innate immunity; renal lupus; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)