estimation of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (mcp-1) level in patients with lupus nephritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the prototypic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies in association with diverse clinical manifestations encompassing almost all organ systems. It is a complex disease with variable presentations, course and prognosis characterized by remissions and flares, the extreme heterogeneity of the disease has led some investigators to propose that SLE represents a syndrome rather than a single diseaseThe exact patho-aetiology of SLE remains elusive. An extremely complicated and multifactorial interaction among various genetic and environmental factors is probably involved. Multiple genes contribute to disease susceptibility. The interaction of sex, hormonal factors, and the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis modifies this susceptibility and the clinical expression of the diseaseDefective immune regulatory mechanisms, such as the clearance of apoptotic cells and immune complexes, are important contributors to the development of SLELupus nephritis is a major cause of morbidity and hospital admissions in SLE patients; LN is characterized by intrarenal inflammation. Leukocytes trafficking from peripheral blood into affected tissues spaces represent an important factor in the development of many renal diseases.Monocyte chemoattractant protein1 (MCP-1) is a leukocyte chemotactic factor that is involved in mediating inflammation and injury in lupus nephritisThis study was conducted on forty patients at Zagazig University Hospitals fulfilling criteria for the diagnosis of SLE were incorporated into the study. As controls, sera and urine from ten healthy blood donors were used.All patients were subjected to the following investigations: ESR 24 hours urinary proteins. MCP1: Estimated in Urine and Serum. CBC Serum urea and creatinine levels.They were divided according to the results of 24 hours urinary protein into two main groups:Group I (SLE Group): It included forty patients. All of these fulfilled at least four of recent SLE criteria described byThey were classified according to the renal involvement in to group I [A] that included twenty patients were selected without clinically apparent renal involvement and group I [B] that included twenty patients were selected with evidence of renal involvement. Criteria of renal involvement include proteinuria >0.5gm / day and/or red blood cell cast according to criteria described by.