Soluble Fas ligand and neopterin in patients with systemic and cutaneous discoid lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Evidence accumulates suggesting that the pathogenesis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with modulations in the Fas/FasL system. Serum concentrations of soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) were found to be elevated in patients with SLE. In this study we wanted to determine the levels of sFasL and the status of immune activation - monitored by neopterin secretion - in patients with SLE and cutaneous discoid lupus erythematosus (CDLE). Sixty-five serum samples were assayed. We found elevated concentrations of sFasL in patients with SLE and CDLE. The levels of sFasL in COLE patients were significant lower compared to SLE patients. Neopterin concentrations in serum were found to be slightly increased in patients with CDLE. Compared to patients with SLE, activation of the immune system was significant lower in COLE. Taken together, we found d evated levels of sFasL in patients with SLE as well as CDLE, connected with ar activation of the immune system and thereby increased concentration of neopterin in serum.

Keywords

• sle
• cdle
• sfasl
• pteridines
• neopterin