Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Stratification of systemic lupus erythematosus with IGHV4-34 in unswitched memory B cells
Authors' conclusion
IGHV4-34 usage in USM B cells is a potential biomarker of SLE and for patient stratification.
Study context
- Population
- SLE patients; peripheral blood B cells sorted into naïve, unswitched memory (USM), switched memory, double-negative B cells and plasmablasts
- Exposure
- High vs low IGHV4-34 usage in USM B cells
- Outcome
- Association between clinical features of SLE and IGHV (IGHV4-34 usage)
Methodological detailsRNA-seq of sorted B-cell subsets, regression analysis, ROC analysis
- RNA-seq of sorted B-cell subsets
- Regression analysis
- ROC analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- IGHV4-34 usage in USM B cells significantly associated with disease activity
- ROC-derived threshold of IGHV4-34 usage in USM B cells distinguished patients with low complement levels
- High usage associated with arthritis, haematuria, proteinuria, rash and fever
- Lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) achievement, SLEDAI 2000 score and PGA score worse in high-usage group
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Flare rate among patients achieving LLDAS on tacrolimus
- Higher flare rate with high IGHV4-34 usage in USM B cells
Original publication
Stratification of systemic lupus erythematosus with IGHV4-34 in unswitched memory B cells. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 12 July 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →