Dickkopf-1 Is a Biomarker for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Active Lupus Nephritis

Figure 1

The serum concentrations of Wnt-3A, FZD-8, and DKK-1 proteins in healthy individuals and SLE patients. (a) The concentration of serum Wnt-3A protein in healthy individuals and SLE patients. No statistical difference was determined between healthy individuals and SLE patients (left panel), but more abundant Wnt-3A protein was found in sera of SLE patients with renal involvement (LN-SLE) compared with non-LN-SLE patients (right panel, ). (b) The concentration of serum FZD-8 protein in healthy individuals and SLE patients. No statistical difference was determined between healthy individuals and SLE patients (left panel), and LN-SLE and non-LN-SLE patients (right panel). (c) The concentration of serum DKK-1 protein in healthy individuals and SLE patients. Statistical differences were found between healthy individuals and SLE patients (left panel, ), LN-SLE () and non-LN-SLE patients (right panel, ). More abundant serum DKK-1 protein was detected in LN-SLE patients relative to healthy individuals and SLE patients without renal flare, and the highest level of serum DKK-1 protein was determined in LN-SLE patients. Bars indicate the average levels of indicated proteins in each group. Compared with the respective healthy and non-LN groups, and . Data presents as the mean ± SEM in each groups.

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