Low versus high initial oral glucocorticoid dose for lupus nephritis: a pooled analysis of randomised controlled clinical trials.

Objective: Traditional initial treatment regimens for lupus nephritis (LN) used oral glucocorticoids (GC) in starting doses up to 1.0 mg/kg/day prednisone equivalent with or without a preceding intravenous methylprednisolone pulse. More recent management guidelines recommend lower starting oral GC doses following intravenous pulse therapy.

Inflammation in Areas of Fibrosis Precedes Loss of Kidney Function in Lupus Nephritis.

Background: Interstitial fibrosis in lupus nephritis (LN) is often infiltrated by immune cells but typically regarded as nonspecific "scar reaction." This study aimed to investigate the relationship between inflammatory fibrosis and kidney disease progression in LN.

Methods: Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) were scored in 124 LN kidney biopsies.

Evaluation and randomised controlled trial of home urinalysis testing in patients with SLE at elevated risk for developing lupus nephritis: a study protocol.

Introduction: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a frequent complication of SLE, occurring in up to 60% of adult patients and ultimately progressing from acute inflammation to chronicity with fibrosis and end-stage kidney failure in 10%-30% of patients. Racial/ethnic minority patients with lupus have worse long-term outcomes, including progression to end-stage renal disease and overall mortality. A major challenge in the management of patients with SLE is delayed identification of early kidney disease, which ultimately leads to a greater burden on both patients and the health system.

Inhibiting the P2Y Receptor in Megakaryocytes and Platelets Suppresses Interferon-Associated Responses.

The authors investigated the impact of antiplatelet therapy on the megakaryocyte (MK) and platelet transcriptome. RNA-sequencing was performed on MKs treated with aspirin or P2Y inhibitor, platelets from healthy volunteers receiving aspirin or P2Y inhibition, and platelets from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). P2Y inhibition reduced gene expression and inflammatory pathways in MKs and platelets.