Researchers Identify Potential New Gene Biomarker for Diagnosis and Evaluation of People with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

In a new study, researchers discovered a potential new genebiomarker, ELF1, a protein coding gene, that can be used to diagnose and evaluate people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). 

Researchers analyzed integrated genetic data from Genome-Wide Association Studies of 4,222 Chinese people living with SLE and 8,432 healthy people (controls). They identified seven new potential functional genes linked to SLE. Upon further investigation, the researchers found a significant downregulation of ELF1 gene expression in CD4+ T cells of people with SLE compared to healthy controls. Additionally, ELF1 expression was lower in SLE subgroups with specific symptoms, such as those with decreased serum complement C3 levels, proteinuria, new-onset of skin rashes, and disease activity (SLEDAI) scores ≥ 5. Further analysis also uncovered the diagnostic potential of ELF1 expression in SLE in assessing disease activity and renal involvement. 

The discovery of this potential new gene biomarker provides a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of SLE and lays the groundwork for future therapeutic research. Additional studies are required to confirm these results and investigate the precise regulatory mechanisms by which ELF1 contributes to the progression of SLE. Learn more about treating lupus.

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