Scholarlink

Background <p>Lupus nephritis (LN) represents a significant complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and can frequently lead to end-stage renal disease. Traditionally, attributed to immune complex deposition, recent evidence suggests a local renal immune mechanism plays a significant role. Among emerging biomarkers, Syndecan-1 (CD138), a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan is implicated in B cell function and tubular epithelial stress. The immunohistochemical expression of CD138 may provide additional insights into LN pathogenesis and disease monitoring. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of CD138 in LN by assessing its expression in kidney biopsies and analyzing its relationship with clinical, laboratory, and histopathological factors, such as SLE disease activity and LN chronicity indices.</p> Methodology <p>This cross-sectional study involved 21 patients with biopsy-confirmed LN (81% female; average age 27.7 ± 7&#xa0;years). Immunohistochemical staining for CD138 was conducted on kidney biopsy samples and analyzed in relation to serum creatinine, proteinuria, complement levels, SLEDAI scores, anti-dsDNA antibody levels, and histological LN classification.</p> Results <p>CD138 expression in renal tubular epithelial cells significantly correlated with renal SLEDAI scores, higher proteinuria, elevated serum creatinine, low complement levels (C3, C4), and increased anti-dsDNA titers. No significant correlation was found with SLEDAI-2&#xa0;K, BUN, UPCR, or biopsy activity/chronicity indices. Among biopsy classes, class IV was predominant (47.6%), followed by class II (23.8%), class III (19%), and class V (9.5%). Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy was mild in 71.4%, moderate in 19%, and absent in 9.5% of patients. CD138 expression did not differ significantly across LN classes.</p> Conclusion <p>CD138 immunohistochemical expression in renal tubular epithelial cells represents a promising biomarker for disease severity in LN. Its correlation with renal-specific disease activity parameters supports its utility in identifying active nephritis and potentially predicting progression. Although not linked to biopsy class or chronicity indices, CD138 could still provide useful supplementary information for the histopathological assessment of LN.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Immunohistochemical expression of CD138 as a marker of B cell activity in renal biopsy in lupus nephritis patients

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月17日

查看全文
  • Eman Karam Ahmed,
  • Nadia Salah Kamel,
  • Manal Ibrahim Salman,
  • Nouran Mostafa Abaza,
  • Salwa Galal Moussa

摘要

Background

Lupus nephritis (LN) represents a significant complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and can frequently lead to end-stage renal disease. Traditionally, attributed to immune complex deposition, recent evidence suggests a local renal immune mechanism plays a significant role. Among emerging biomarkers, Syndecan-1 (CD138), a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan is implicated in B cell function and tubular epithelial stress. The immunohistochemical expression of CD138 may provide additional insights into LN pathogenesis and disease monitoring. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of CD138 in LN by assessing its expression in kidney biopsies and analyzing its relationship with clinical, laboratory, and histopathological factors, such as SLE disease activity and LN chronicity indices.

Methodology

This cross-sectional study involved 21 patients with biopsy-confirmed LN (81% female; average age 27.7 ± 7 years). Immunohistochemical staining for CD138 was conducted on kidney biopsy samples and analyzed in relation to serum creatinine, proteinuria, complement levels, SLEDAI scores, anti-dsDNA antibody levels, and histological LN classification.

Results

CD138 expression in renal tubular epithelial cells significantly correlated with renal SLEDAI scores, higher proteinuria, elevated serum creatinine, low complement levels (C3, C4), and increased anti-dsDNA titers. No significant correlation was found with SLEDAI-2 K, BUN, UPCR, or biopsy activity/chronicity indices. Among biopsy classes, class IV was predominant (47.6%), followed by class II (23.8%), class III (19%), and class V (9.5%). Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy was mild in 71.4%, moderate in 19%, and absent in 9.5% of patients. CD138 expression did not differ significantly across LN classes.

Conclusion

CD138 immunohistochemical expression in renal tubular epithelial cells represents a promising biomarker for disease severity in LN. Its correlation with renal-specific disease activity parameters supports its utility in identifying active nephritis and potentially predicting progression. Although not linked to biopsy class or chronicity indices, CD138 could still provide useful supplementary information for the histopathological assessment of LN.