Reduced sB7-H3 Expression in the Peripheral Blood of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Abstract EN

Both membrane-bound and soluble forms of costimulatory molecules play important roles in immune-regulatory networks.

B7-H3, a member of the B7 family, has been found with aberrant expression in tumors and infectious disease.

However, the significance of sB7-H3 expression in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been investigated.

Using the peripheral blood of 78 SLE patients, we established a comprehensive database containing clinical data and relevant laboratory tests.

We found that sB7-H3 expression in SLE patients was significantly lower compared with the healthy individuals.

In addition, sB7-H3 levels in the patients were positively correlated with the disease activity as indicated by SLE disease activity index score, rashes, fever, and inflammatory cytokines.

Moreover, sB7-H3 was associated with the counts of red blood cells and hemoglobin.

Our findings suggest that sB7-H3 might counteract the aberrant immune response and potentially serve as a monitoring indicator of disease progression and therapeutic target in SLE treatment.