Transforming growth factor-β1 in systemic lupus erythematosus patients and its relation to organ damage and disease activity

Abstract

The aim of our study was to assess the serum levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in Egyptian systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in order to determine whether these levels are associated with disease activity and organ damage. Serum level of TGF-β1 was assessed in 70 Egyptian SLE patients and 60 healthy subjects using ELISA. The levels were related to clinical features, disease activity as assessed by the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and damage assessed by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) index. Serum levels of TGF-β1 were significantly reduced in patients with SLE compared to levels in healthy controls (875.8 ± 292.2 pg/ml vs 1140 ± 301 pg/ml, respectively) (p < 0.001). TGF-β1 levels significantly correlated with hemoglobin content, platelet counts, and inversely with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum creatinine and urea. Significantly lower TGF-β1 levels were found in patients with high disease activity (SLEDAI > 10) while the level tended to be lower in those with organ damage. TGF-β1 was significantly lower in patients with serum creatinine >1.2 mg/dl than in those with <1.2 mg/dl (p = 0.003), and also in patients with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <50 ml/min than in those with >50 ml/min (p = 0.038). This study demonstrated significantly reduced serum levels of TGF-β1 in patients with SLE compared with healthy subjects. Lower serum TGF-β1 levels were associated with high disease activity and organ damage in SLE patients. A prominent role in renal damage was observed.