In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, urinary CD4+ T cells may have the potential to predict subsequent renal flares in the next 6 months. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from our outpatient clinic will be included in this cross-sectional, prospective biomarker study regardless of disease activity, clinical phenotype, and disease duration or baseline therapy. Urinary T cells will be analyzed by flow cytometry. 6 months after sample collection a clinical follow-up will be conducted to assess the occurrence of either recurrent or de novo renal flares.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
120
Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charite University Hospital
Berlin, Germany
RECRUITINGRenal flares within the next 6 months
To evaluate whether the number of urinary CD4+ T cells has the potential to predict subsequent renal flares in the next 6 months. Renal flares will be defined as an increase of proteinuria by \> 0.5 g/g creatinine or an increase in creatinine by 30% without other likely explanation or a novel kidney biopsy demonstrating lupus nephritis.
Time frame: 6 months
To investigate whether the phenotype of urinary T cell subsets can predict renal involvement or subsequent renal flares in preexisting LN (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells subsets).
Time frame: 6 months
To investigate whether the number and phenotype of urinary B- and plasma cell subsets can predict renal involvement or subsequent renal flares in preexisting LN
Time frame: 6 months
To evaluate whether increased surface expression of CD38 on peripheral blood memory T cells is associated with the presence of renal involvement.
Time frame: 6 months
To assess whether urinary or peripheral blood T- and B cell subsets or IFN-I activity can predict the incidence of mild/moderate or severe flares of SLE according to the SELENA-SLEDAI Flare Index (SFI)
Time frame: 6 months
Investigate whether Belimumab treatment has a beneficial impact on biomarkers associated with renal flares and loss of renal function.
Time frame: 6 months
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