THU0293 Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) patients have a distinct profile of soluble apoptosis molecules

Background Conflicting results concerning the role of soluble apoptosis molecules in rheumatic diseases still remains. In adulthood, sFas, sFasL, sBcl-2 and sTRAIL levels in lupus patients have been described as normal, decreased or elevated, varying among studies and according to disease activity and to organ damage. In dermatomyositis, overexpressions of Fas and Bcl-2 were observed in myofibers suggesting apoptosis mediated injury, while sFasL levels are higher in both sera and synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Objectives To evaluate sFas, sFasL, sTRAIL and sBcl-2 in sera from JSLE patients compared to JDM, JIA and healthy controls, and to evaluate associations with nephritis and disease activity. Methods sFas, sFasL, sTRAIL and sBcl-2 were measured in sera from 43 patients with JSLE (36F:7M, mean age=14.3, range 8.2-20.8 yrs, revised ACR criteria) and gender and age machted 26 JIA (ILAR criteria), 13 JDM patients (Bohan & Peter criteria) and 35 healthy individuals. Lupus activity parameters included SLEDAI score, ESR, serum anti-dsDNA (by quantitative ELISA), C3 and C4 (by standard methods). Thirty JSLE patients had active disease (SLEDAI ≥4) and 32 had nephritis. Commercial solid phase ELISA kits were used following the manufacturer’s instructions. Statistical analysis used Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman’s rank, with P value