Elevated IgE anti-ds-DNA levels are associated with serological disease activity in patients with SLE: potential for a new treatment target

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 — Poster Session III
10:00 a.m. – Noon	Natcher Conference Center	NIAMS	CLIN/CULT/AGING/DISPREV-6

Authors

• S Hasni
• B Dema
• D Hardwick
• G Souto-Adeva
• C Jiang
• J Rivera
• G Illei

Abstract

Background: Autoreactive IgE leads to activation of basophils and lupus-like nephritis in lyn -/- mice. Prior studies in subjects with SLE showed increased levels of IgE directed against ds-DNA. In this study we explored the correlation between IgE anti-ds-DNA levels and lupus disease activity. Methods: Demographic information, clinical manifestations, current medications and laboratory data were collected from 67 SLE patients. Disease activity was measured using SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores. Results: Average Serum IgE anti-ds-DNA level was 293 A.U. ±780.82 (mean±SD) in patients and 9.3 A.U. ±22.83 (mean±SD) in healthy controls. IgE anti-ds-DNA levels correlated modestly with SLEDAI scores (Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.53). Mean IgE anti-ds-DNA levels were higher (45.98 A.U.) in patients with SLEDAI≥4 compared to those with SLEDAI<4(26.87 A.U.) (p value<0.001). There was no difference in anti-ds-DNA levels in patients with or without lupus nephritis (p-value 0.61) but patients with hypocomplementemia (22/67) had a higher IgE anti-ds-DNA level (mean 47.22 A.U.) compared to those with normal complement levels (mean 27.53 A.U.) (p-value <0.0001). Conclusion: Serologic activity in SLE includes increased production of IgE anti-ds-DNA antibodies with low complements, indicative of their role in disease pathogenesis. We are planning a pilot treatment study using an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody.

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