The Role of Urinary Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in Monitoring Children with Lupus Nephritis

Abstract

I n this study, we were concerned to assess the urinary MCP-1 among a group of Egyptian children with pediatric SLE and LN and its relationship with disease status and the different therapeutic modalities. We conducted this study on 30 children with pediatric LN at enrollment and follow up after 2 months attending the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Clinic, Children's Hospital, Ain Shams University. Clinical evaluation of LN patients with assessment of the disease activity using SLEDAI was done. Renal involvement was assessed using renal BILAG score, while SLE related organ damage was assessed using SDI. Routine laboratory investigations including CBC, ESR for all patients and immunological markers (anti-dsDNA, C3, lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin Abs), kidney function tests (s.creatinine, creatinine clearance and 24 hours urinary proteins) and lipid profile (S.Chol, TG, HDL and LDL) for LN patients. Urinary MCP-1 was done for the studied pediatric LN patients and age-matched healthy subjects without clinical manifestations or family history suggestive of autoimmune disorders. This study revealed that urinary MCP-1 was significantly higher among patients with LN as compared to the healthy subjects. Patients with different histological classes of LN whether LN class II, III or IV had comparable levels of urinary MCP-1. Class V was only one patient. This patient had urinary MCP-1 level of 1000 pg / ml.