System Maintenance Notice

Please note that maintenance work is scheduled between 4 AM and 5 AM - CET. During this time, you may experience reduced performance. Thanks for your patience.

Publications

Journal Article Epublish 9 citations

PubMed: 35683365 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11112977

Dickkopf Homolog 3 (DKK3) as a Prognostic Marker in Lupus Nephritis: A Prospective Monocentric Experience.

J Clin Med 11(11)

Authors: Savino Sciascia, Alice Barinotti, Massimo Radin, Irene Cecchi, Elisa Menegatti, Edoardo Terzolo, Daniela Rossi, Simone Baldovino, Roberta Fenoglio, Dario Roccatello

Affiliations

  • University Center of Excellence on Nephrologic, Rheumatologic and Rare Diseases with Nephrology and Dialysis Unit and Center of Immuno-Rheumatolgy and Rare Diseases (CMID), Coordinating Center of the Interregional Network for Rare Diseases of Piedmont and Aosta Valley (North-West Italy), San Giovanni Bosco Hub Hospital, 10154 Turin, Italy.
  • Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
  • Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Specialization of Clinical Pathology, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.
  • University Center of Excellence on Nephrologic, Rheumatologic and Rare Diseases with Nephrology and Dialysis Unit and Center of Immuno-Rheumatolgy and Rare Diseases (CMID), Coordinating Center of the Interregional Network for Rare Diseases of Piedmont and Aosta Valley (North-West Italy), San Giovanni Bosco Hub Hospital, 10154 Turin, Italy. Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy.

Abstract

Background: The gold standard for diagnosis of lupus nephritis (LN) is still represented by renal biopsy, and serological prognostic biomarkers are still lacking. Dickkopf homolog-3 (DKK3) has been suggested as a marker of tissue fibrosis in different conditions; however, its role in autoimmune diseases needs to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the prognostic role of DKK3 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with and without LN, assessing its changes in relation to kidney function, flares, and interstitial fibrosis. Methods: Overall, 132 SLE patients (57 with LN) were included and prospectively followed up for at least 36 months. DKK3 was measured in serum at baseline. Biopsies were evaluated for glomerular involvement, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy. Results: Patients with biopsy-proven LN had significantly higher levels of DKK3 than those without (median [min−max]: 215 ng/mL [81−341] vs. 21.1 ng/mL [1−69], p < 0.01). DKK3 levels were associated with prevalent chronic kidney diseases (OR: 4.31 [C.I. 2.01−6.61] per DKK3 doubling, p < 0.01), higher chronicity index at biopsy (1.75 [1.51−2.77] per DKK3 doubling, p < 0.01), and flares rate (OR: 1.45 [C.I. 1.1−5.71] per DKK3 doubling, p < 0.044). Conclusions: While kidney biopsy still represents the gold standard for diagnostic and prognostic assessment in LN, DKK3 could represent an additional prognostic tool to monitor SLE patients and guide therapeutic choices.

MeSH

Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic, Lupus Nephritis, Kidney, Fibrosis, Biopsy

Cited by