Association
Association between APRIL Gene Expression and Systemic
Lupus Erythematosus
Mary Rizk1, Reem
Jan2, Ashraf Genina3
1Internal Medicine Department, Cairo Medical School, 2Clinical
Pathology Deparmtent, Cairo Medical School,3Internal Medicine
Department, Beni Suef, Egypt.
Abstract: Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with
a high mortality risk if not properly treated. B cell hyperplasia has been
implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease. B cells produce large quantities
of autoantibodies, eventually leading to multiorgan complications. Treatments
targeting B cell products appear particularly promising. APRIL is a TNF-like subclass
ligand with yet unresolved implications in SLE. Some studies have accused its
expression in the pathogenesis of SLE, while others negated it. Aim of
work: This is to assess APRIL gene expression in SLE patients versus
healthy controls and to correlate its presence with organ affection, and
disease activity index. Materials and methods:This is a cross
sectional study involving 40 SLE patients (35 females and 5 males), presenting
in the Internal Medicine Department Cairo University. Ten healthy matched controls
for age and sex were also involved. Age was 27.45 ± 8.85years. All
subjects had a complete history and physical examination. Laboratory tests
included CBC, ESR, urea, creatinine, ANA, antiDNA, SLEDAI, as well as APRIL
gene expression. Results: We found 22 SLE patients were
expressors (55%), while 18 patients (45%) were non expressers. None of the
controls expressed the gene. We found astatistically significant association
between APRIL gene expression in SLE patients and presence of neuropsychiatric
(p<0.001) complications (fig.2), vasculitis (p< 0.05),
and photosensitivity (p<0.007). There was a significantly positive
correlationbetween APRIL gene expression and ACL IgG (r=0.6, p<
0.005), but not IgM or SLEDAI. Conclusion: APRIL gene
expression is significantly elevated in SLE patients with vasculitis,
cerebritis, and photosensitivity. It has a strong positive correlation to ACL
IgG levelshence possibly correlated to antiphospholipid syndrome. This implies
the future possible implementation of APRIL gene expression in prognosis and
therapy targets for SLE patients.
[Mary Rizk, Reem Jan, Ashraf Genina. Association between APRIL Gene Expression and Systemic
Lupus Erythematosus. Life Sci J 2013;10(1):3477-3483].
(ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 439
Key words:SLE, nephritis, vasculitis, APRIL gene,
antiphospholipid syndrome. Full Text 439
