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B lymphocyte stimulator expression in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

B lymphocyte stimulator expression in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients

Sandy D Hong, Andreas Reiff, Hai-Tao Yang, Thi-Sau Migone, Christopher D Ward, Katherine Marzan, Bracha Shaham, Wee Choo Phei, Judith Garza, Bram Bernstein, …
Arthritis and rheumatism, Vol.60(11), pp.3400-3409
11/2009
DOI: 10.1002/art.24902
PMID: 19877053
url
https://doi.org/10.1002/art.24902View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

To assess the expression of B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) in patients with pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Blood samples collected from patients with pediatric SLE (n = 56) and patients with JIA (n = 54) at the beginning and end of a 6-month interval were analyzed for plasma BLyS protein levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and for blood leukocyte full-length BLyS and DeltaBLyS messenger RNA (mRNA) levels by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (normalized to 18S expression). Healthy siblings (n = 34) of these patients served as controls. In pediatric SLE, plasma BLyS protein and blood leukocyte BLyS mRNA levels were each significantly elevated, and plasma BLyS protein levels, but not blood leukocyte BLyS mRNA levels, were correlated with disease activity. In contrast, plasma BLyS protein levels were normal in JIA despite blood leukocyte BLyS mRNA levels being elevated to degrees similar to those in pediatric SLE. Among JIA patients, neither BLyS parameter was correlated with disease activity. In both pediatric SLE and JIA, the BLyS expression profiles remained stable at 6 months. Our findings indicate that, as previously noted in adult SLE, plasma BLyS protein and blood leukocyte BLyS mRNA levels are elevated in pediatric SLE. The correlation of plasma BLyS protein levels with disease activity points to BLyS as a candidate therapeutic target in pediatric SLE. Contrary to previous observations in adults with rheumatoid arthritis, plasma BLyS protein levels are normal in JIA despite elevated blood leukocyte BLyS mRNA levels. The absence of correlation between either of the BLyS parameters and disease activity in JIA calls for circumspection prior to assigning BLyS as a candidate therapeutic target in this disorder.
Severity of Illness Index Humans Child, Preschool Male Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - blood Arthritis, Juvenile - blood Case-Control Studies Young Adult RNA, Messenger - blood Adolescent Female B-Cell Activating Factor - blood Child

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