B-cell activating factor as a serological biomarker for polymyositis and dermatomyositis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate serum levels of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) in the patients with polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM), and to systematically examine the association between serum BAFF levels and disease activity in PM/DM patients.


METHODS
A cross-sectional analysis included 92 PM/DM patients and 25 healthy control subjects. A longitudinal study followed 24 patients. Serum BAFF concentrations were detected by the ELISA method.


RESULTS
Serum BAFF levels in PM/DM patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. A cross-sectional assessment revealed a modest correlation between serum BAFF levels and global disease activity and a mild correlation between serum BAFF levels and muscle disease activity. The longitudinal study showed that serum BAFF levels modestly correlated with global disease activity and muscle disease activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Resulting data showed high serum BAFF levels in PM/DM patients and suggested BAFF as a serological biomarker for PM/DM disease activity.
Department of Rheumatology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Ying Hua East Road, Chao Yang District, Beijing 100029, China.
Qing-Lin
QL
Peng
Xiao-Ming
XM
Shu
Dong-Xue
DX
Wang
Yan
Y
Wang
Xin
X
Lu
Guo-Chun
GC
Wang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism
D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D015415:Biomarkers