Soluble Fas and the −670 Polymorphism of Fas in Lupus Nephritis

Abstract EN

This study was performed to clarify the role of soluble Fas (sFas) in lupus nephritis (LN) and establish a potential relationship between LN and the −670 polymorphism of Fas in 67 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including a subset of 24 LN patients with proteinuria.

Additionally, a group of 54 healthy subjects (HS) was included.

The allelic frequency of the −670 polymorphism of Fas was determined using PCR-RFLP analysis, and sFas levels were assessed by ELISA.

Additionally, the WT-1 protein level in urine was measured.

The Fas receptor was determined in biopsies by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (FISH) and apoptotic features by TUNEL.

Results.

The −670 Fas polymorphism showed that the G allele was associated with increased SLE susceptibility, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.86.

The sFas was significantly higher in LN patients with the G/G genotype, and this subgroup exhibited correlations between the sFas level and proteinuria and increased urinary WT-1 levels.

LN group shows increased expression of Fas and apoptotic features.

In conclusion, our results indicate that the G allele of the −670 polymorphism of Fas is associated with genetic susceptibility in SLE patients with elevated levels of sFas in LN with proteinuria.