Serum and Lymphocytic Neurotrophins Profiles in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: a Case-Control Study

Abstract

This study demonstrates that serum and B cell levels of both NGF and BDNF are increased in SLE, suggesting that the neurotrophin production pathway is deregulated in this disease. These results must be confirmed in a larger study with naive SLE patients, in order to avoid the potential confounding influence of prior immune-modulating treatments on neurotrophin levels.