To investigate the possible role of anti-ENA autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of SLE nephropathy, we performed a cross sectional clustering study of 91 SLE patients using 75 clinical and laboratory variables examining the presence of anti-dsDNA and ENA autoantibodies by ELISA and Western blot. We applied principal component, hierarchical cluster, multiple correspondence and logistical regression analysis. Two polar forms of SLE nephropathy and five clinical groups were identified: group 1 without overt nephropathy (n = 37), group 2 with nephropathy and only proteinuria (n = 19), group 3 nephropathy and only hematuria (n = 11), group 4 with hematuria and proteinuria (n = 14) and group 5 on renal failure (n = 10). When analyzed individually, levels of anti-dsDNA and single anti-ENA antibodies did not allow us to differentiate between renal and non-renal groups. However, when the anti-ENA autoantibodies were analyzed as a cluster, a high predictive value for clinical nephropathy was obtained. Thus, the absence of ENA antibodies (ENA ve or Venezuelan cluster) increased eleven-fold the odds ratio to develop SLE nephropathy. We suggested that the ENA ve cluster may predict development of the most severe forms of renal lupus while the ENA Sm/RNP and the ENA Ro/La/Sm/RNP clusters could be associated with the absence and the most benign form of SLE nephropathy. It must be interesting to apply similar cluster methodology in an SLE population with different ethnic background.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.