Relationship of IP-10 gene expression to systemic lupus erythematosus activity.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate IP-10 gene expression in patients with SLE, and its possible relationship with disease activity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 120 patients diagnosed with SLE and 30 healthy controls. The relative gene expression of IP-10 was investigated with the Fold Change method, which was correlated with the level of lupus activity evaluated with the SLEDAI 2-K instrument.

RESULTS: Different levels of gene expression were found according to the SLE activity (p =<0.001). IP-10 gene expression levels were higher in patients with severe activity than in those with no activity, low activity, and moderate activity. The increase in gene expression in the severe activity group was significant with a Fold Change of 3.

CONCLUSION: The significant increase in relative gene expression IP-10 may be a marker of severe lupus activity.