Unmet Need
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a range of symptoms across multiple organ systems. The primary diagnostic test for SLE is the antinuclear antibodies (ANA) test. However, there is disagreement between laboratories as to which ANA staining patterns are considered diagnostic. Additionally, as autoantibodies are present in many autoimmune conditions, this test is not SLE-specific. This can lead to delayed diagnosis, negatively impacting health outcomes for SLE patients. As such, there is a strong for specific biomarkers that can also be used to diagnose and monitor patients with SLE.
Value Proposition
· SLE-specific diagnostic biomarker associated with IFN-activated neutrophils
· Biomarker levels also correlate with disease activity and systemic immune activation
· Would allow researchers to stratify SLE patients for more personalized treatment.
Technology Description
Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have identified autoantibodies targeting Ro52/TRIM21 in patients with SLE. These auto-antibodies recognize previously undescribed isoforms of Ro52/TRIM21 that are produced by neutrophils in the setting of increased interferon signaling and immune activation. These autoantibodies may serve as a potential biomarker for SLE diagnosis and surveillance.
Stage of Development
Autoantibodies have been identified in patient samples and characterized in vitro.
Publication
