V-set immunoglobulin domain-containing protein 4 (VSIG4) as a potential non-invasive biomarker of lupus nephritis
Presentation Time: 03:15 PM - 04:30 PM
Poster Board Number: B514
Abstract ID: 5331
Presenting Author:
Aygun Teymur , Graduate Research Assistant at Univ. of Houston
Abstract:
Objective: This study aimed to identify a non-invasive biomarker of lupus nephritis (LN) for diagnosis, disease monitoring or flare prediction of LN.
Methods: Both the VSIG4 free form and immune complex (ICx) bound form in the urine of LN patients (N = 97) were examined using ELISA, to compare with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) controls and healthy controls. Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm the elevated tissue expression of VSIG4 in the renal biopsy of LN. Immunofluorescence was used to examine the VSIG4-mediated immune complex deposition in the kidney of LN.
Results: The urinary levels of both VSIG4 free form (P = 0.01) and VSIG4-ICx (P = 6.3 x 10-14) and were significantly elevated in LN patients, particularly in renal active LN (P = 4.8 x 10-16) compared to healthy controls. VSIG4-ICx effectively discriminated HC from LN (AUC = 0.84, P< 0.01) and active LN from inactive LN (AUC = 0.91, P< 0.01). The urinary immune complex form of VSIG4 was positively correlated with renal pathology activity index (AI). Immunohistochemistry highlighted the significantly elevated VSIG4 expression in both glomeruli and tubules in LN patients, compared to healthy controls.
Conclusion: Our findings underscore the diagnostic potential of VSIG4 as a non-invasive urinary biomarker for LN. With its correlation to disease activity and renal pathology, VSIG4 presents a promising avenue for enhanced diagnosis and monitoring of lupus nephritis, paving the way for improved patient care.
V-set immunoglobulin domain-containing protein 4 (VSIG4) as a potential non-invasive biomarker of lupus nephritis
Category
Poster and Podium (Block Symposium)