Soluble CD163 as a biomarker for renal involvment in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Abstract

Introduction:Urine-soluble CD163 (usCD163) is released from alternatively activated macrophages which play an important role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis. This study explored the role of usCD163 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Subject and methods: usCD163 concentrations were measured cross-sectionally in 40 SLE patients and 20 apparently healthy volunteers, age and sex matched. Clinical and laboratory data were collected, a renal biopsy was obtained and SLE disease activity scores were calculated to assess the correlation with usCD163. Results: SLE patients with high usCD163 levels tended to have higher proteinuria, more pyuria and hematuria, higher levels of inflammatory markers, lower complement 3 (C3) levels, higher anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (anti-dsDNA Ab) levels, and higher disease activity scores (p < 0.001). usCD163 levels were significantly higher in patients with active lupus nephritis (LN) than in those with active extrarenal or inactive SLE and correlated with disease activity, and anti-dsDNA Ab levels. Conclusions: Urinary soluble CD163 reflects histologic inflammation in lupus nephritis and is a promising non-invasive biomarker for the assessment of renal disease in SLE patients.