Potential of serum sulfatide levels as a marker for classification and disease activity in lupus nephritis

IntroductionLupus nephritis (LN) is a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus, often leading to end-stage kidney disease. Serum sulfatide levels are linked to severe kidney vasculitis. This study aimed to assess serum sulfatide levels as a marker for classifying and evaluating disease ac...

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Main Authors: Kosuke Yamaka, Daiki Aomura, Makoto Harada, Takero Nakajima, Takayuki Nimura, Koji Hashimoto, Naoki Tanaka, Yuji Kamijo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1571147/full
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author Kosuke Yamaka
Daiki Aomura
Makoto Harada
Takero Nakajima
Takayuki Nimura
Koji Hashimoto
Naoki Tanaka
Naoki Tanaka
Naoki Tanaka
Yuji Kamijo
author_facet Kosuke Yamaka
Daiki Aomura
Makoto Harada
Takero Nakajima
Takayuki Nimura
Koji Hashimoto
Naoki Tanaka
Naoki Tanaka
Naoki Tanaka
Yuji Kamijo
author_sort Kosuke Yamaka
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionLupus nephritis (LN) is a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus, often leading to end-stage kidney disease. Serum sulfatide levels are linked to severe kidney vasculitis. This study aimed to assess serum sulfatide levels as a marker for classifying and evaluating disease activity in LN.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of patients admitted to our hospital between 2003 and 2022. Serum sulfatide levels were compared between LN patients and controls as well as across LN classes based on the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society classification. We also analyzed the association between sulfatide levels and active lesions, the Activity Index, and its components.ResultsSerum sulfatide levels were significantly lower in LN patients than in controls (6.90 ± 2.22 vs. 8.34 ± 1.68, P = 0.007). Levels across LN classes were as follows: 9.41 nmol/mL in Class I, 8.21 ± 1.68 nmol/mL in Class II, 7.33 ± 2.25 nmol/mL in Class III, 6.14 ± 1.63 nmol/mL in Class IV, and 7.89 ± 2.12 nmol/mL in Class V, with Class IV having the lowest levels. Serum sulfatides were significantly lower in patients with active lesions (6.38 ± 1.81 vs. 8.23 ± 2.55, P = 0.006) and negatively correlated with the Activity Index (r = −0.51, P < 0.001) and pathological components such as endocapillary hypercellularity, neutrophils/karyorrhexis, and interstitial inflammation (P < 0.001).ConclusionsSerum sulfatide levels were significantly lower in LN patients than in controls and strongly correlated with active lesions and the Activity Index. These findings suggest sulfatide levels as a useful marker for assessing LN disease activity.
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spelling doaj-art-2e3f754ae6e549d39ecc9759f60a56df2025-08-20T03:45:18ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-06-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15711471571147Potential of serum sulfatide levels as a marker for classification and disease activity in lupus nephritisKosuke Yamaka0Daiki Aomura1Makoto Harada2Takero Nakajima3Takayuki Nimura4Koji Hashimoto5Naoki Tanaka6Naoki Tanaka7Naoki Tanaka8Yuji Kamijo9Department of Nephrology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, JapanDepartment of Nephrology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, JapanDepartment of Nephrology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, JapanCenter for Medical Education and Clinical Training, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, JapanDepartment of Nephrology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, JapanDepartment of Nephrology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, JapanDepartment of Global Medical Research Promotion, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, JapanInternational Relations Office, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, JapanResearch Center for Social Systems, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, JapanDepartment of Nephrology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, JapanIntroductionLupus nephritis (LN) is a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus, often leading to end-stage kidney disease. Serum sulfatide levels are linked to severe kidney vasculitis. This study aimed to assess serum sulfatide levels as a marker for classifying and evaluating disease activity in LN.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of patients admitted to our hospital between 2003 and 2022. Serum sulfatide levels were compared between LN patients and controls as well as across LN classes based on the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society classification. We also analyzed the association between sulfatide levels and active lesions, the Activity Index, and its components.ResultsSerum sulfatide levels were significantly lower in LN patients than in controls (6.90 ± 2.22 vs. 8.34 ± 1.68, P = 0.007). Levels across LN classes were as follows: 9.41 nmol/mL in Class I, 8.21 ± 1.68 nmol/mL in Class II, 7.33 ± 2.25 nmol/mL in Class III, 6.14 ± 1.63 nmol/mL in Class IV, and 7.89 ± 2.12 nmol/mL in Class V, with Class IV having the lowest levels. Serum sulfatides were significantly lower in patients with active lesions (6.38 ± 1.81 vs. 8.23 ± 2.55, P = 0.006) and negatively correlated with the Activity Index (r = −0.51, P < 0.001) and pathological components such as endocapillary hypercellularity, neutrophils/karyorrhexis, and interstitial inflammation (P < 0.001).ConclusionsSerum sulfatide levels were significantly lower in LN patients than in controls and strongly correlated with active lesions and the Activity Index. These findings suggest sulfatide levels as a useful marker for assessing LN disease activity.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1571147/fulllupus nephritissulfatidessphingolipidssystemic lupus erythematosusvasculitis
spellingShingle Kosuke Yamaka
Daiki Aomura
Makoto Harada
Takero Nakajima
Takayuki Nimura
Koji Hashimoto
Naoki Tanaka
Naoki Tanaka
Naoki Tanaka
Yuji Kamijo
Potential of serum sulfatide levels as a marker for classification and disease activity in lupus nephritis
Frontiers in Immunology
lupus nephritis
sulfatides
sphingolipids
systemic lupus erythematosus
vasculitis
title Potential of serum sulfatide levels as a marker for classification and disease activity in lupus nephritis
title_full Potential of serum sulfatide levels as a marker for classification and disease activity in lupus nephritis
title_fullStr Potential of serum sulfatide levels as a marker for classification and disease activity in lupus nephritis
title_full_unstemmed Potential of serum sulfatide levels as a marker for classification and disease activity in lupus nephritis
title_short Potential of serum sulfatide levels as a marker for classification and disease activity in lupus nephritis
title_sort potential of serum sulfatide levels as a marker for classification and disease activity in lupus nephritis
topic lupus nephritis
sulfatides
sphingolipids
systemic lupus erythematosus
vasculitis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1571147/full
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