Glomerular C4d Staining Can Be an Indicator of Disease Activity in Lupus Nephritis

Abstract

We found a relationship between glomerular C4d staining and activity of lupus nephritis. C4d staining may be a useful marker to predict the prognosis of lupus nephritis.

C4d in lupus nephritis and correlation with clinicopathologic findings

“…In the current study, the validity of C4d staining by immunofluorescence method was evaluated as a useful marker of different classes of LN. Several studies have assessed the correlation between C4d staining and LN activity (18)(19)(20)(21). In a study by Shen et al the intensity of glomerular C4d staining was strongly associated with the presence of IgG anti-b2GPI antibodies (22), however we did not find any correlation between anti β2GP1 and C4d staining that could be due to small sample size.…”

C4d in Native Glomerular Diseases

“…Similar findings were noted in another study of 15 to a lesser extent in mesangium was found in 46% of biopsies and was associated with the presence of IgG, C3, and C1q but not with disease activity index [60]. However, in another study, glomerular C4d staining (via IHC) was found in 58% (14 of 24 patients) of patients with LN and correlated with higher activity index score and proteinuria [61]. This study did not provide data on C1q staining.…”

Dense deposit disease involving C3 and C4d Deposits

“…[ 9 ] Studies have also shown that glomerular-C4d plays a role of activity in lupus nephritis, and is also a prognostic marker in IgA nephropathy. [ 10 11 ] It is possible that activation of C4 leads to the formation of C4 convertase and thus activation of C3.…”