VALUE OF MEMBRANE COFACTOR PROTEIN IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by diverse clinical features and the presence of autoantibodies in the serum. The disease occurs primarily in young women and ranges in severity from a mild disease with rash and arthritis to a devastating illness with renal failure and profound nervous system disturbances.

In systemic lupus erythematosus deposition of circulating immune complexes in various tissues results in complement activation and subsequent consumption of its various components. The complement system has a central and dualistic function of major importance in SLE, especially C3, which is up-regulated at the site immune complex deposition particularly in the kidney in lupus nephritis.

Membrane cofactor protein is a cell surface glycoprotein, which is crucial in protecting autologous cells against attack by complement system. This protection is achieved by restricting the activity of C3b/C4b components leading to inhibition of complement activation.

Our study was conducted on 30 Egyptian SLE patients who were subjected to thorough clinical examination, laboratory tests including complete blood picture, ESR, serum C3 level, serum creatinine level, in addition to complete urine analysis and estimation of percentage of MCP expression on mononuclear cells, which was assessed by flowcytometry.