Assessment of Serum Level of Chitinase-3-Like Protein-1 (Ykl-40) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients and Its Relation to Disease Activity
Aya Gamal El-Agamy
Department of Dermatology, Kafr El-Sheikh Hospital, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Rasha Abdel Noor
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Maaly M. Mabrouk
Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Rania Ahmed El-Tatawy
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Doaa Salah Hegab
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder where such progress and prognosis cannot be anticipated. Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) is a multifunctional pro-inflammatory protein that plays a crucial role in immunity and inflammation, as well as in the control of cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis.
Aim of the Work: To investigate the serum level of YKL-40 in SLE patients contrasted to healthy controls and to link it with symptom severity and organ involvement.
Patients and Methods: A total of 50 subjects; 25 SLE patients and 25 healthy controls matched for age and sex were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The circulating level of YKL-40 was determined using the ELISA technique in patients and controls and was shown to correlate with clinical and laboratory results in SLE patients.
Results: Serum YKL-40 levels were considerably greater in SLE patients compared to controls (P≤ 0.001) and positively correlated with disease activity., ESR, CRP and serum creatinine level. Serum YKL-40 was greater in SLE patients with malar rash, fever and arthralgia and has no relation to lupus nephritis.
Conclusion: During active disease phases, serum YKL-40 may have a role in the inflammatory aetiology of SLE. It may serve as a valuable laboratory test in the future for detecting SLE activity and joint inflammation.
Keywords: Chitinase-3-like protein-1 (YKL-40), Systemic lupus erythematosus, joint inflammation