Associations Between Serum Autoantibodies, Cytokines, Complements, and Clinical Manifestations in SLE Patients

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by multiple organ involvement and autoantibodies. However, the role of these autoantibodies in the pathogenesis and clinical symptoms remains unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the associations between autoantibodies, clinical symptoms, complement levels, and cytokine levels in SLE patients. Methods: This study examined 41 confirmed SLE patients. Their serum autoantibody status, cytokine levels, complement (C3 and C4) levels, and clinical presentations were recorded and associations were calculated using standard statistical methods. Results: The most common symptoms in the patients were arthritis, fever, skin rashes, photosensitivity, and oral ulcers, while the most frequently detected autoantibodies were anti-Ro/SSA, anti-U1-RNP, anti-dsDNA, and anti-Sm antibodies. The presence of most autoantibodies was associated with low serum C4 levels. Moreover, the presence of anti-Ro/SSA, anti-U1-RNP, anti-Sm, and anti-dsDNA antibodies increased the risk of symptoms such as fever, arthritis, morning stiffness, and generalized edema. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate the role of particular autoantibodies and cytokines in pathogenesis and appearance of various clinical features of SLE. This knowledge can be applied for the prediction of organ involvement, based on early identification of autoantibodies in SLE patients.