CCL21 and IP10 as serum biomarkers for pulmonary involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Background Although the significance of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the pathogenesis of SLE is well established, the findings showed diversity and implied that combining different biomarkers could be useful in monitoring disease activity or organ involvement. Despite the potentially high prevalence of lung involvement in SLE, only a few studies have investigated for lung biomarkers. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the value of Chemokine Ligand 21 (CCL 21) and Interferon gamma–induced protein 10 (IP10) as serum biomarkers for pulmonary involvement in SLE and their correlation with disease activity, organ involvement, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and chest CT findings. Materials and methods Sixty SLE patients and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled into this study. All patients underwent serological tests, PFTs, and chest CT examination. The serum levels of CCL21 and IP10 were analyzed, and their correlations with PFTs and CT were explored. Results SLE patients with pulmonary involvement had higher serum CCL21 and IP10 levels compared to those without pulmonary involvement which in turn had higher levels than the controls. There were strong negative correlations between CCL21 and IP10 and FEV1, FVC, and DLCO. There were also strong correlations between both biomarkers and HRCT and pulmonary damage, but no correlation with other disease manifestations. Serum level of 2095 pg/mL for CCL21 and 7185 pg/mL for IP10 could detect pulmonary involvement in SLE with a sensitivity of 83.7% and a specificity of 94.1%. Both biomarkers performed equally well in detecting SLE pulmonary involvement with a strong agreement between them (κ = 0.86, p < .001), but CCL21 was better correlated with PFT abnormalities. Conclusion Both CCL21 and IP10 are serum biomarkers to detect pulmonary involvement in SLE with high sensitivity and specificity. CCL21 correlates better with PFT abnormalities.

Targeting Fli‐1 and chemokine axis CXCL10/CXCL13/CXCR3 in systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis

“…SLE having positive arthritis showed elevated serum concentrations of CXCL10 than those did not have arthritis 33 . SLE having pulmonary involvement showed elevated serum concentrations of CXCL10 relative to those that did not have pulmonary involvement 38 . Serum levels of 7185 pg/mL for CXCL10 may find pulmonary involvement, along with good sensitivity (83.7%) and specificity (94.1%) 33 .…”

“…33 SLE having pulmonary involvement showed elevated serum concentrations of CXCL10 relative to those that did not have pulmonary involvement. 38 Serum levels of 7185 pg/mL for CXCL10 may find pulmonary involvement, along with good sensitivity (83.7%) and specificity (94.1%). 33 Serum concentrations of CXCL10 were correlated with levels of galectin-9.…”

Systemic lupus erythematosus: one year in review 2023

“…Finally, galactin-3 binding protein was higher in proliferative and membranous SLE nephritis, but not in patients with mesangial form and correlated with activity in renal biopsies (13). Chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP10) correlated with lung involvement and had high sensitivity (83.7%) and specificity (94.1%) in detecting pulmonary disease (14).…”