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Impaired phagocytosis of apoptotic cell material in serologically active clinically quiescent patients with systemic lupus erythematosis
Author(s) -
Huang WenNan,
Tso Tim K.,
Wu HsiaoChih,
Yang HsiuFen,
Tsay Gregory J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/1756-185x.12826
Subject(s) - phagocytosis , medicine , macrophage , immunology , systemic lupus , apoptosis , systemic lupus erythematosus , disease , in vitro , biology , biochemistry
Aim Serologically active clinically quiescent (SACQ) patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) account for 8–12% of all patients with SLE, but there is disagreement about whether such patients are indeed clinically stable. Patients with clinically active SLE have decreased macrophage function, although the status of SACQ patients with SLE is unclear. Method This study compared 18 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for SACQ SLE with 18 healthy volunteers with regard to the capability of macrophages to clear apoptotic bodies by use of a modified serum‐free phagocytosis test. Macrophages that naturally differentiated from monocytes were used to engulf apoptotic cells developed from polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Results The results showed that macrophages from SACQ patients with SLE had less phagocytotic capability than those from healthy controls. Conclusion The significant reduction of macrophage phagocytotic capability in these patients suggests the potential for disease recurrence. The use of a serum‐free method confirmed the presence of intrinsic factors that modulate the decrease of macrophage function in SLE.