Serum level of cluster of differentiation 72 in systemic lupus erythematosus patients and correlation with nephritis and disease activity (case control study)

Introduction: B cell receptor (BCR) -mediated signals are enhanced when CD72 expression is deficient on B cells in autoimmune diseases. The significance of soluble CD72 (sCD72) has not been well explained yet.
Methods: Soluble CD72 was analyzed in the serum of 37 Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, 27 had lupus nephritis and 10 had no nephritis. Correlations between sCD72 and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and other activity indices were assessed.
Results: Soluble CD72 was found to be increased in SLE patients with lupus nephritis with (P <0.001). Statistically significant correlation found between serum CD72 level and low serum C3 (P <0.001), serum creatinine (P <0.001), SLEDAI (P 0.001), activity index (P 0.003), and chronicity index (P <0.001).
Conclusion: Soluble CD72 is significantly increased in SLE patients with renal involvement. Increased sCD72 may become a potential biomarker for renal involvement, disease activity and prognosis in SLE.
Conflict of interest: authors declare no conflict of interest and this article have not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere.