Faculty Bibliography

Noninvasive carotid measurements have proven value in the estimation of future cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Natural IgM-antibodies to phosphorylcholine (PC) epitopes can enhance apoptotic-cell clearance and induce anti-inflammatory pathways. Herein, we show that subclinical CV disease, as detected by carotid ultrasound, in a cross-sectional SLE cohort was associated with lower levels of IgM anti-PC, as well as lower levels of the ratio of IgM anti-PC/total IgM, compared to patients without plaque (p=0.004 and p=0.02, respectively). The IgM anti-PC/total IgM association remained significant after adjusting for age, cholesterol and hypertension. Adiponectin and sE-selectin were significantly elevated in patients with plaque, and statistical models showed that combining adiponectin, sE-selectin and IgM anti-PC/total IgM was better for predicting plaque than either test alone. These results support the hypothesis that IgM-natural autoantibodies may inhibit atherogenesis, and confirm the utility of IgM anti-PC levels as a biomarker for subclinical CV disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine the frequency and functionality of blood conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) in relation to disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS: Blood cDCs were enumerated for 34 SLE patients, defined as "active" (SLEDAI>/=4) or "inactive" (SLEDAI<4), 26 RA subjects and 8 healthy subjects by FACS. cDC activation was measured by IL-12p40/70 staining following resiquimod stimulation. RESULTS: The frequency of blood cDCs was significantly lower in active compared to inactive patients, however, with comparable cDC functionality. CONCLUSION: cDC frequency in active SLE is decreased with no perturbation in cDC function, possibly due to enhanced turnover and/or tissue-specific migration.