J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2010 Dec;17(4):393-399. 10.4078/jkra.2010.17.4.393.

Clinical Significance of Serum C1q-Circulating Immune Complexes in Patients with Lupus Nephritis

• Kim J
• Kim SH
• Kim HR
• Park SH

• KMID: 2201897
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jkra.2010.17.4.393

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether serum C1q-circulating immune complexes (C1q-CIC) serve as a predictive marker for renal flares in patients with lupus nephritis.
METHODS
Twenty-five patients with lupus nephritis and 24 healthy controls were enrolled. Patients with lupus nephritis had their serum C1q-CIC titers and other serologic parameters such as serum C3, C4, anti-dsDNA antibody, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate measured simultaneously. The systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) was also checked.
RESULTS
Serum C1q-CIC titers were higher in patients with lupus nephritis than in healthy controls (109.33+/-53.79 microg/mL vs. 75.28+/-22.91 microg/mL, p=0.008). A statistically significant association was found between serum C1q-CIC titers and C3 (p=0.011), C4 (p=0.027), and anti-dsDNA antibody (p=0.014). SLEDAI was also correlated with serum C1q-CIC titers (p=0.022).
CONCLUSION
Serum C1q-CIC appears to be related to renal disease activity in patients with lupus nephritis. These results suggest that serum C1q-CIC is a predictive marker for renal flares in patients with lupus nephritis.

Keyword

Lupus nephritis; C1q-Circulating Immune Complexes

MeSH Terms

Antigen-Antibody Complex
Blood Sedimentation
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Lupus Nephritis
Antigen-Antibody Complex

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Serum levels of C1q-circulating immune complexes (C1g-CIC) in healthy controls and patients with lupus nephritis (p=0.008).

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  Fig. 2. Correlations between serum C1q-circulating immune compleses (C1q) level and C3 (A), C4 (B), anti-ds DNA antibody (C), and the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) (D) were observed in patients with lupus nephritis.

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