Increased serum RANTES in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of this study was to investigate the serum RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) level in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and the associations with disease activity and clinical laboratory indexes. Twenty-seven SLE patients and 27 normal controls were enrolled in this study. Serum RANTES was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The clinical and laboratory parameters of the patients were also recorded. Results showed that serum RANTES level was significantly elevated in SLE patients when compared with normal controls. Serum RANTES level was correlated with C3, ANA, anti-dsDNA antibodies, anti-Sm antibodies, and anti-SSB antibodies. Nevertheless, no association of serum RANTES level with SLEDAI was found. Taken together, serum RANTES level was significantly higher in SLE patients, suggesting that RANTES might be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.