Center For Technology Commercialization

(CHMC Ref. Id: 2007-0609)

Overview:

Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidney caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease of the immune system. Patients suffering from lupus nephritis may experience weight gain, high blood pressure, dark urine, or swelling around the eyes, legs, ankles, or fingers. There are 5 classes of lupus nephritis ranging from Class I, in which patients are histologically normal and show no evidence of disease, to the most severe Class V, which is known as membranous nephritis and is characterized by extreme edema and protein loss. To date, traditional methods of diagnosing lupus nephritis by measuring creatinine levels or performing kidney biopsies do not provide sufficient or accurate information regarding disease onset and progression.

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's have identified a urinary proteomic profile for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis. The profile comprises 8 biomarker proteins, including neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL), that distinguished SLE nephritis from SLE with no nephritis and control samples. Additionally, these proteins strongly correlated to renal disease activity. NGAL best discriminated inactive and active SLE nephritis and has been shown to be superior to any current biomarkers used in standard clinical practice for the discrimination between Classes III and IV and Class V nephritis, a discrimination that is of particular clinical interest, given that different treatment strategies are employed for the various stages of SLE nephritis.

Applications:

• Diagnostic for SLE nephritis

Advantages:

• Distinguishes between SLE nephritis and SLE with no nephritis and control samples
• Distinguishes between inactive and active SLE nephritis
• Correlates with renal disease activity
• Improved discrimination between Classes III and IV and Class V SLE nephritis

Patent Information:

• Patent Applications Pending

Cincinnati Children's Lead Inventor:

Prasad Devarajan, M.D.