Role of Regulated on Activation, Normal T-Cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES) Protein in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Its Relation to Disease Activity

Background: The protein known as RANTES, or Regulated on Activation, Normal T-Cell Expressed and Secreted, belongs to the CC or B chemokine subfamily. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) causes chronic and acute inflammatory processes by recruiting T lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils to inflammation sites.

Objectives: To evaluate RANTES's capacity to detect SLE, lupus nephritis, and its relationship to lupus activity.

Methods: This case- control research had 90 participants, including 30 healthy volunteers and 60 SLE patients. All individuals had a thorough clinical examination, extensive taking of history, and standard investigations. In the lupus nephritis groups, an immunological test and evaluation of disease activity using the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score and renal SLEDAI(r-SLEDAI) were performed. For all groups, ELISA was used to measure the serum RANTES concentrations.

Results: The level of serum RANTES was substantially greater in SLE group than control group. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that serum RANTES predicted existence of SLE with a sensitivity of 91.67% and a specificity of 86.67%. No substantial variation was existed in serum level of RANTES among the active and inactive lupus individuals or between lupus nephritis and non-lupus nephritis groups. No substantial association existed among serum RANTES and c3, c4, urinary proteins, SLEDAI or r- SLEDAI scores.

Conclusion: Serum levels of RANTES are elevated in individuals with SLE suggesting that it can be a new effective biomarker for the diagnosis of systemic lupus disease. But we could not demonstrate significant relation to lupus nephritis or activity of the disease.