Lack of correlation between serum soluble fas/APO‐1 levels and autoimmune disease

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Objective. To determine whether elevated soluble Fas/APO‐1 (sFas/APO‐1 ) levels are associated with either autoimmune disease or evidence of flares in autoimmune disease. Methods. Thirty‐seven serum samples were retrospectively obtained from normal controls and patients with laboratory evidence of autoimmune disease activity. These samples were assayed for sFas/APO‐1 levels by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and hospital medical records were retrospectively reviewed for clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients. Results. Soluble Fas/APO‐1 levels did not correlate with clinical diagnoses or laboratory abnormalities. The mean and range of sFas/APO‐1 levels were similar in systemic lupus erythematosus patients (including those with active disease), patients with other autoimmune diseases, and normal controls. Conclusion. These data strongly suggest that measurement of sFas/APO‐1 levels is unlikely to hold clinical value or play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease.