Association of systemic lupus erythematosus activity with serum levelsof sTWEAK and CD160: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a relatively common disease among the patients referred to the rheumatology clinics. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), as a cytokine, is a member of TNF family, and CD160 is an essential natural killer (NK) cell activator, both of which have been argued to be associated with SLE activity. Here, we aimed to evaluate the serum levels of sTWEAK and CD160 and their association with SLE activity. Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 48 patients with SLE, as the case group, and 40 healthy subjects, as controls, were enrolled. SLE activity was assessed using SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) in the case group. Moreover, the serum levels of sTWEAK and CD160 were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) method in both groups. Results: Mean serum level of sTWEAK was 19.09% lower in the control group compared to the case group (730.15 ± 170.21 pg/ml vs. 895.39 ± 451.25 pg/ml, respectively). Further, mean serum level of CD160 was 47.31% lower in the healthy subjects than that of SLE patients (206.16 ± 88.97 pg/ml vs 391.30 ± 283.46 pg/ml, respectively). The differences in both occasions were found to be significant (P = 0.013 and P =0.001, respectively). Mean SLEDAI in the patients was 8.68 ± 4.00. There was no significant correlation between serum levels of sTWEAK and CD160 with SLE activity. Conclusion: The serum levels of sTWEAK and CD160 markers in patients with SLE are significantly higher than those of healthy subjects. However, we found no correlation of these markers with the disease activity.