A retrospective study on the correlation between antibody levels and endothelial function in SLE patients: An analysis based on ultrasound and serum biomarkers

IF 3.2 3区医学 Q2 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Molecular immunology Pub Date : 2025-03-12 DOI:10.1016/j.molimm.2025.02.018

Huan Xia, Zaixing Pan, Yun Hong, Qingzhu Zhao, Weili Fan

{"title":"A retrospective study on the correlation between antibody levels and endothelial function in SLE patients: An analysis based on ultrasound and serum biomarkers","authors":"Huan Xia, Zaixing Pan, Yun Hong, Qingzhu Zhao, Weili Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.molimm.2025.02.018","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was a complex autoimmune disease characterized by a spectrum of clinical and immunological manifestations, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Endothelial dysfunction was critical in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular complications in SLE. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between autoantibody levels and endothelial function in SLE patients using ultrasound and serum biomarkers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective case-control study was conducted with 317 SLE patients treated from December 2021 to December 2023. Patients were categorized based on Flow-Mediated Dilation (FMD) values into an abnormal endothelial function group (n = 191) and a normal function group (n = 126). Serum biomarkers, including soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), were assessed. Autoantibody levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), anti-Smith, and anticardiolipin antibodies levels. Statistical analyses, including correlation and logistic regression, were performed to determine associations between antibody levels and endothelial function.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Higher levels of Anti-Smith were significantly associated with poorer endothelial function, while higher Anti-dsDNA levels were positive correlated with endothelial function (Anti-Smith: coefficient = −0.168, Std_Error = 0.027, t_value = −6.228, P < 0.001; Anti-dsDNA: coefficient = 0.140, Std_Error = 0.022, t_value = 6.345, P < 0.001). These results underscore the importance of antibody levels in assessing endothelial health.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study highlights the intricate relationship between specific autoantibodies and endothelial dysfunction in SLE patients. Elevated sVCAM-1 and Anti-Smith levels were associated with a higher risk of endothelial impairment, whereas Anti-dsDNA antibodies showed a positively correlated better endothelial function.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18938,"journal":{"name":"Molecular immunology","volume":"181 ","pages":"Pages 66-74"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Molecular immunology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161589025000501","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was a complex autoimmune disease characterized by a spectrum of clinical and immunological manifestations, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Endothelial dysfunction was critical in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular complications in SLE. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between autoantibody levels and endothelial function in SLE patients using ultrasound and serum biomarkers.

Methods

A retrospective case-control study was conducted with 317 SLE patients treated from December 2021 to December 2023. Patients were categorized based on Flow-Mediated Dilation (FMD) values into an abnormal endothelial function group (n = 191) and a normal function group (n = 126). Serum biomarkers, including soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), were assessed. Autoantibody levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), anti-Smith, and anticardiolipin antibodies levels. Statistical analyses, including correlation and logistic regression, were performed to determine associations between antibody levels and endothelial function.

Results

Higher levels of Anti-Smith were significantly associated with poorer endothelial function, while higher Anti-dsDNA levels were positive correlated with endothelial function (Anti-Smith: coefficient = −0.168, Std_Error = 0.027, t_value = −6.228, P < 0.001; Anti-dsDNA: coefficient = 0.140, Std_Error = 0.022, t_value = 6.345, P < 0.001). These results underscore the importance of antibody levels in assessing endothelial health.

Conclusion

This study highlights the intricate relationship between specific autoantibodies and endothelial dysfunction in SLE patients. Elevated sVCAM-1 and Anti-Smith levels were associated with a higher risk of endothelial impairment, whereas Anti-dsDNA antibodies showed a positively correlated better endothelial function.

查看原文本刊更多论文

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Molecular immunology 医学-免疫学

CiteScore

6.90

自引率

2.80%

发文量

324

审稿时长

50 days

期刊介绍： Molecular Immunology publishes original articles, reviews and commentaries on all areas of immunology, with a particular focus on description of cellular, biochemical or genetic mechanisms underlying immunological phenomena. Studies on all model organisms, from invertebrates to humans, are suitable. Examples include, but are not restricted to: Infection, autoimmunity, transplantation, immunodeficiencies, inflammation and tumor immunology Mechanisms of induction, regulation and termination of innate and adaptive immunity Intercellular communication, cooperation and regulation Intracellular mechanisms of immunity (endocytosis, protein trafficking, pathogen recognition, antigen presentation, etc) Mechanisms of action of the cells and molecules of the immune system Structural analysis Development of the immune system Comparative immunology and evolution of the immune system "Omics" studies and bioinformatics Vaccines, biotechnology and therapeutic manipulation of the immune system (therapeutic antibodies, cytokines, cellular therapies, etc) Technical developments.