Progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells are associated with disease activity and damage in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

BackgroundDespite advancements in treatment, patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) frequently experience disease flares, which contribute to organ damage and increase the risk of premature death. Assessing disease activity is essential for optimizing treatment and preventing further organ damage. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between levels of progenitor and circulating endothelial cells and SLE disease activity, as well as accumulated organ damage.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study measuring levels of CD34+CD45low/- progenitor cells, CD34+CD45low/-CD133+ progenitor cells, Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPC), and Circulating Endothelial Cells (CEC) in peripheral blood using flow cytometry.ResultsThe study included 32 SLE patients and 28 matched controls. SLE patients exhibited significantly lower levels of CD34+CD45low/- progenitor cells (<i>p</i> = .001), CD34+CD45low/-CD133+ progenitor cells (<i>p</i> = .016), EPC (<i>p</i> = .018), and CEC (<i>p</i> < .001) compared to controls. Additionally, the cell subpopulations correlated with SLE activity biomarkers, with CD34+CD45low/- progenitor cells showing a moderate negative correlation with C3 and C4 levels. Notably, patients with an SDI score ≥1 had significantly higher levels of CD34+CD45low/- progenitor cells, CD34+CD45low/- CD133+ progenitor cells, EPC, and CEC compared to those without organ damage (<i>p</i> = .0073, <i>p</i> = .018, <i>p</i> = .018, and <i>p</i> = .020, respectively).ConclusionOur findings reveal that CD34+CD45low/- progenitor cells, CD34+CD45low/-CD133+ progenitor cells, EPC, and CEC are significantly reduced in SLE patients and are associated with disease activity and organ damage. These results suggest that CD34+CD45low/- progenitor cells, in particular, could serve as potential biomarkers for monitoring disease activity and organ damage in SLE patients. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.