Elevated Plasma cfDNA May be Associated with Active Lupus Nephritis and Partially Attributed to Abnormal Regulation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

摘要

Objective The abnormal formation and insufficient clearance of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN). The abnormal regulation of NETs may contribute to increases in the levels of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA). The present study tested the hypothesis that elevated plasma cfDNA levels are related to LN.