Patients and samples
Totally 50 SLE and 50 healthy control (HC) patients were enrolled.
Individuals with SLE were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital
of Baotou Medical College that
applied the American College of Rheumatology criteria for the
classification of SLE(12). The main features of the SLE cases are listed
in Table 1. Disease activity was measured by the modified Systemic Lupus
Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI-2K)(13), and classified as
low disease activity (LDA) (SLEDAI of 0-4, n=34) and active disease
(SLEDAI above 4, n=16). This trial had approval from the Institutional
Medical Ethics Review Board of Baotou Medical College, and signed
informed consent was obtained from each participant.
Twelve SLE patients were assessed in a
follow-up study. All SLE cases
were administered immunosuppressants, with disease remission. Blood
specimens were collected prior to treatment and at 4 weeks
post-treatment. Patient features pre- and post-treatment are summarized
in Table 2