Pro-inflammatory S100 proteins are associated with glomerulonephritis and anti-dsDNA antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objectives Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with elevated levels of S100A8/A9, pro-inflammatory proteins mainly secreted by activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). The underlying mechanisms for increased S100A8/A9 levels and their relation to the clinical phenotype have not been carefully investigated. We assessed S100A8/A9 and S100A12 levels in SLE patient sera in relation to disease activity, clinical phenotype, presence of anti-dsDNA antibodies and ability to promote phagocytosis of necrotic cells (NCs) by PMNs. Methods Serum levels of S100A8/A9 and S100A12 were measured by ELISA in paired samples of 100 SLE patients at time points of higher and lower disease activity. Serum-mediated phagocytosis of NCs by PMNs was analysed by flow cytometry. Clinical data were recorded at time points of blood sampling. Results Serum levels of S100A8/A9 and S100A12 were increased in SLE patients with high disease activity compared to paired samples at low disease activity (p = 0.01 and p = 0.008, respectively). Elevated levels of S100A8/A9 were particularly seen in patients with anti-dsDNA antibodies (p = 0.01) and glomerulonephritis before treatment (p = 0.02). Immunosuppressive therapy was associated with a reduction of S100A8/A9 serum levels (p = 0.002). The ability of serum to support phagocytosis of NCs by PMNs was related to increased S100A8/A9 levels (p = 0.01). Conclusions Elevated serum levels of S100A8/A9 may be used to monitor disease activity and response to treatment in SLE patients, especially in patients with glomerulonephritis. S100A12 may be a marker of disease activity in SLE. Increased S100A8/A9 levels may reflect immune-pathological processes involving phagocytosis of immune complexes by PMNs.