Investigating potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through the utilization of cytokine profiling

Objectives

Examining cytokine profile complexities in chronic autoimmune disorders holds significant clinical importance. In order to address the similarities and differences related to SLE and RA, it was necessary to evaluate their cytokine chemokine profiles. Such analyses would give pointers towards differences, leading thereby to explore the potential of cytokines/chemokines as biomarkers. The study was therefore driven by the concept of understanding the major differences at this level with a hope of contribution towards diagnostics/theranostics. A multiplex study was carried out on systemic autoimmune disorders, such as SLE and RA, analysing forty analytes in comparison with healthy controls.

Methodology

Age and sex matched healthy donors and patients (n = 38) were recruited and plasma cytokine profiling was done by Bio-plex multiplex immunoassay system.

Results

A comparison with healthy volunteers revealed differential alteration in various chemokines in SLE and RA, respectively. Protein interaction analysis identified a core complex of chemokines (CXCL10, CCL5, CXCL12, CXCL9, CXCL1, and CXCL27) as central modulators, suggesting their potential as biomarkers. Drug prediction using the DSigDB database identified acetovanillone as a potential drug against this core complex. In comparing lupus patients with or without arthritis comorbidity, elevated levels of cytokines: IL-12, SCF, and TNF-a were prominently associated with arthritis in SLE. TNF-a emerged as a potential indicator specifically for arthritis.

Conclusion

This study enhances our understanding of the complex interplay of cytokine/chemokine in these systemic conditions and suggests their utility as targets and diagnostic paradigms for detection.