Investigation of the prevalence andclinical associations of antibodies to human fibronectin in systematic lupus erythematosus

Article Abstract:

Antibodies to fibronectin are more common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Fibronectin plays a role in both immune responses and in the formation of the connective tissue matrix in which cells are embedded. Blood serum samples were assayed for antibodies to fibronectin (anti-Fn) from 65 patients with SLE, 50 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 15 with Bechcet's disease (BD), 15 with systemic vasculitis, and 36 healthy subjects. All these diseases involve derangment of the immune system. Anti-Fn antibodies were found in 34% of SLE patients, 14% of RA patients, 7% of BD patients, no patients with systemic vasculitis, and none of the healthy subjects. The average antibody titer was 68 u ml among SLE patients with inactive disease compared with an average of 117 u ml among SLE patients with active disease. Patients with musculoskeletal manifestations of SLE also had greater anti-Fn concentrations. However, anti-Fn cannot be used as a marker for SLE because it occurs in other autoimmune diseases.

Autoantibodies, Fibronectins

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Urine neopterin as a parameter of disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: comparisons with serum sIL-2R and antibodies to dsDNA, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and plasma C3, C4, and C3 degradation products

Article Abstract:

Measurement of urine neopterin may be the most effective method for monitoring patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is a chronic inflammatory disorder that may be caused by failure of the regulatory mechanisms of the autoimmune system. Levels of neopterin were measured in urine samples from 68 SLE patients and 65 healthy individuals (control group). Blood samples from the SLE patients and 19 individuals from the control group were tested for other markers of SLE disease activity. Levels of urine neopterin were significantly higher in the samples from patients with active or inactive SLE than those from the control group. SLE patients also had higher blood levels of the other markers, correlating with the neopterin levels. Measurement of neopterin levels appears to be effective in determining the level of disease activity in SLE patients, and it can be done without drawing blood.

Analysis, Urine, Urinalysis

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IgE and non-IgE mediated allergic disorders in systemic lupus erythematosus

Article Abstract:

Systemic lupus erythematosus does not appear to increase the risk of allergic disorders. Researchers compared 49 patients with the autoimmune disease and 98 healthy people, and found that they had similar rates of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic eczema. Other researchers have proposed that lupus is associated with allergic conditions associated with immunoglobulin E (IgE). Patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus have higher levels of IgE in the blood, and IgE-associated immune dysfunction may be central to the autoimmune disease.

United Kingdom, Health aspects, Immunoglobulin E

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