Functional Characterization of Autoantibodies against Complement Component C3 in Patients with Lupus Nephritis.

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a complication of the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus. Because the complement system plays a critical role in orchestrating inflammatory and immune responses as well as in the clearance of immune complexes, autoreactivity to complement components may have considerable pathological consequences. Autoantibodies against the central complement component C3 have been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus, but their molecular mechanism and functional relevance are not well understood.

Effects of renal insufficiency on the elimination of fluorescein lisicol (NRL972), an investigational marker of hepatic transporter function.

Background: NRL972 (Fluorescein Lisicol), a fluorescent-labelled bile salt, is an investigational marker of hepatic biliary transporter function.

Objective: To investigate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of NRL972 in patients with severe (SRI: creatinine clearance (CLCr)<30 mL/min per 1.73 m2 body surface area (BSA)) and mild-to-moderate renal insufficiency (MRI: 30≤CLCr<80 mL/min) relative to matched controls (CON: CLCr≥90 mL/min).

Autoantigenicity of human C1q is associated with increased hydrophobicity due to conformational transitions in the globular heads.

We analyzed the structural features of C1q that underlie its autoantigenicity by means of a model system using the amphiphilic polyzwitterion (PZ), poly(ethylene oxide-b-N,N-dimethyl(methacryloyloxyethyl) ammonium propanesulfonate) in the process of C1q immobilization. The source of anti-C1q autoantibodies was human sera from patients with Lupus Nephritis (LN). Both analyzed concentrations of PZ, 25 mM and 50 mM, were found to be applicable for inducing conformational transitions which resulted in increased recognition of C1q and the globular domain of its B polypeptide chain, designated ghB, by the LN autoantibodies.

Effects of advanced age and renal dysfunction on the single- and repeated-dose pharmacokinetics of modified-release flupirtine.

Background: Flupirtine is a nonopioid, central analgesic without antipyretic or antiphlogistic properties. Flupirtine-MR is an oral modified-release formulation with a 100 mg fast-input and a 300 mg portion with slow protracted release.

Methods: Single- (D01) and repeated-dose (D03-D09) pharmacokinetics of 400 mg flupirtine-MR were investigated in patients with severe renal dysfunction (REN: N: 12; 21 50 years of age; creatinine clearance (CLCr)≤30 mL/min per 1.

Association of rs172378 C1q gene cluster polymorphism with lupus nephritis in Bulgarian patients.

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect substantially any organ in the body. One of its most severe manifestations is lupus nephritis. Hereditary C1q deficiency is strongly related to SLE but there are very few and inconsistent studies exploring the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the C1q gene cluster in relation to the pathogenesis of SLE.