New Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Risk Found in JSLE Patients

According to results from a study presented at EULAR 2019, new biomarkers ApoB:A1 ratio and metabolomic lipoprotein signatures have been identified for cardiovascular risk in  patients with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE).

The researchers used in-depth metabolomics in order to examine dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular risk among a cohort of 35 JSLE patients and 39 age/sex matched healthy donors. The JSLE patients were divided into three groups based on unbiased hierarchal clustering and metabolomic profile. Groups 1 and 2 comprised patients with high and low cardiovascular risk, respectively, based on their individual lipoprotein profile, immune cell phenotype, and clinical presentation.

“Further analysis identified ApoB:A1 ratio as a highly predictive biomarker distinguishing between these high and low cardiovascular risk groups. Longitudinal analysis revealed that the ApoB:A1 ratio biomarker remained stable over time,” according to a press release from EULAR.

 “Our study identifies ApoB:A1 ratio and metabolomic lipoprotein signatures as potential new biomarkers to predict cardiovascular risk in patients with juvenile-onset SLE,” said George Robinson,
senior research associate, Centre for Adolescent Rheumatology Versus Arthritis, University College London, London, England. “Patient stratification using these biomarkers could provide an opportunity for tailored disease treatments using lipid
modification therapy and lifestyle interventions.”

Researchers noted that “this form of risk assessment is particularly important in patients with SLE as they have been found to be twice as likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease. Research shows that SLE patients are between 9- and 50-fold more likely to suffer a myocardial infarction over the general population, and 3-fold more likely to suffer a fatal myocardial infarction.”

Per the EULAR press release, “Metabolic biomarker analysis and in-depth immune cell phenotyping was performed on the serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) taken
from the participants. Data were analyzed using cluster and correlation-correlation and receiver operating characteristic analysis. The metabolomic patient stratification was validated in a second cohort of 31 JSLE patients.” —Edan Stanley