Autoantibodies to NR2A Peptide of the Glutamate/NMDA Receptor in Patients with Seizure Disorders in Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Objective. Seizure disorders are one of the most disabling, life-threatening, and the least understood syndromes associated with neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE). N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are a subgroup of the glutamate receptor family, whose NR2A subunit was found on neuronal cells (anti-NR2A) in NPSLE patients with different types of epilepsy. The present study was conducted to determine the serum levels of anti-NR2A antibodies in a large group of SLE patients, to investigate the possible correlation between the presence of the NR2A specific antibodies and NPSLE-related seizure disorders.Methods and Results. The study population consisted of 107 SLE patients and 43 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. 73 SLE patients had active disease. 36 of these had NPSLE. NMDA levels were measured by ELISA. Clinical and serological parameters were assessed according to routine procedures. The levels of anti-NR2A antibodies were significantly higher in NPSLE patients, compared with non-NPSLE patients and healthy controls. Furthermore, the levels of NPSLE in patients with seizure disorders were shown to be higher than in those with cognitive dysfunction and other CNS symptoms, however, without significance. Increase in serum anti-NR2A antibodies levels correlated to anti-dsDNA antibody and SLEDAI as well as complement levels.Conclusion. We suggest that anti-NR2A antibodies play a role in the pathogenesis of NPSLE with seizure disorders.
Guangdong No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Courtyard No. 466, Middle Xingang Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510317, China.
Yan
0000-0001-9727-0987
Y
Yang
Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China; TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, Medical College, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Chao
0000-0001-5373-8170
C
Yuan
School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, No. 1023 South Shatai Rd., Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China.
Shu-Qun
0000-0002-5714-3200
SQ
Shen
Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Xue-Er
XE
Wang
Guangdong No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Courtyard No. 466, Middle Xingang Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 510317, China.
Qing-Hua
QH
Mei
Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Wen-Qing
WQ
Jiang
Department of Rheumatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Qin
0000-0001-8971-3821
Q
Huang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D020945:Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000906:Antibodies; D001323:Autoantibodies; C120997:NR2A NMDA receptor; D010455:Peptides; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D003165:Complement System Proteins