The Interplay of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 Axis in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematous
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v8i2.1819Keywords:
ANA, CX3CL1, CX3CR1, SLE, SLE-RAAbstract
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are autoimmune diseases with multifactorial etiology. Both diseases are characterized by chronic inflammation and autoantibody production. Objective: To investigate the role of Fractalkine (Fkn) and its receptor (CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis) in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Methods: The study was carried out on eighty-four SLE patients (classified into 77 with SLE and 7 with SLE associated with RA) and thirty-five healthy individuals as a control group. Levels of soluble Fkns axis were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Clinical parameter correlations were assessed. ROC curves explored CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 diagnostic potential for SLE. Serum levels of CX3CR1 and CX3CL1 were significantly elevated in both SLE and SLE-RA groups compared to controls. Results: Demographic and clinical parameters showed significant differences in age distribution that were observed across SLE, SLE-RA, and control groups. WBC count was significantly elevated in SLE compared to controls. ESR was significantly increased in SLE compared to both controls and SLE-RA. No significant differences were observed in RBC and platelet counts between groups. The ROC analysis showed that ANA, CX3CL1, CX3CR1, and ESR were accurate for diagnosing SLE and SLE-RA in both groups. Conclusions: The elevated concentrations of sFkn and its receptor in SLE are higher than in SLE-RA and the control group. They played a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease, which might serve as a serologic inflammatory marker of disease activity and tissue damage.
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