Complement as a Biomarker for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease of immune complex deposition; therefore, complement plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of SLE. In general, complement levels in blood and complement deposition in histological tests are used for the management of SLE. Thus, the evaluation of complement status can be useful in the diagnosis of SLE, assessment of disease activity, and prediction of treatment response and prognosis. In addition, novel complement biomarkers, such as split products and cell-bound complement activation products, are considered to be more sensitive than traditional complement markers, such as serum C3 and C4 levels and total complement activity (CH50), which become more widely used. In this review, we report the complement testing in the management of SLE over the last decade and summarize their utility.

Automated summary

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease where complement is crucial in its pathogenesis. Complement levels in blood and histological tests are used for SLE management, and the evaluation of complement status is useful for diagnosis, disease activity assessment, treatment response prediction, and prognosis. Novel complement biomarkers are more sensitive than traditional markers and have wider application. This review summarizes the utility of complement testing in SLE management over the last decade.