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Systemic Lupus: Molecular Research, New Biomarkers and Novel Therapy
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Systemic Lupus: Molecular Research, New Biomarkers and Novel Therapy

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026 | Viewed by 1258

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Juan Pablo Mackern-Oberti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Medicine, National University of Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
Interests: systemic lupus erythematosus; autoimmunity; therapy; treatment; biomarker
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with highly variable clinical manifestations and an elusive pathogenesis. Despite advances in immunology and genetics, effective and targeted treatments remain a challenge. This Special Issue invites cutting-edge research that deepens our understanding of SLE at the molecular level, with a strong focus on identifying innovative biomarkers, endocrine regulation of T cell and B cell activation, and emerging therapeutic strategies. We aim to highlight interdisciplinary efforts that bridge laboratory findings, basic research with clinical application, including studies on epigenetics, cellular signaling pathways, immune profiling, and novel drug targets. Submissions exploring translational research and precision medicine are especially encouraged. By fostering collaboration among basic scientists, clinicians, and biopharmaceutical researchers, this Special Issue seeks to accelerate progress toward more effective and personalized approaches to lupus care. Authors are encouraged to contribute original research, reviews, or perspective articles that can shape the future landscape of SLE diagnostics and treatment.

Dr. Juan Pablo Mackern-Oberti
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • lupus
  • biomarkers
  • autoimmunity
  • inflammation
  • therapy
  • treatment
  • endocrine
  • prolactin
  • stress
  • T cell and B cell activation
  • T cell and B cell proliferation
  • antigenic immunosuppression

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 941 KB  
Article
Elevated Serum Soluble Syndecan-1 Is Associated with Lupus Nephritis Flares: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Nicte Selene Fajardo-Robledo, Heriberto Jacobo-Cuevas, Juan Manuel Ponce-Guarneros, Soraya Amalí Zavaleta-Muñiz, Erika Anita Aguilar-Chavez, Alberto Daniel Rocha-Muñoz, Edy David Rubio-Arellano, Juan Manuel Viveros-Paredes, Eva Maria Olivas-Flores, Felipe Alexis Avalos-Salgado, Aniel Jessica Leticia Brambila-Tapia, Fabiola Gonzalez-Ponce, Ernesto German Cardona-Muñoz, Laura Gonzalez-Lopez and Jorge Ivan Gamez-Nava
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(9), 3851; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27093851 (registering DOI) - 26 Apr 2026
Abstract
Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe immune-mediated renal disorder causing significant morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Traditional biomarkers (serum complement components C3 and C4 and anti-dsDNA antibodies) have limited sensitivity and specificity for detecting renal flares; thus, new [...] Read more.
Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe immune-mediated renal disorder causing significant morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Traditional biomarkers (serum complement components C3 and C4 and anti-dsDNA antibodies) have limited sensitivity and specificity for detecting renal flares; thus, new markers are needed to improve relapse detection and therapeutic response monitoring. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 71 women with SLE and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. Clinical data were collected, global activity was evaluated using the SLEDAI, and renal activity was evaluated using the renal SLEDAI (rSLEDAI). Serum syndecan-1 (SDC-1) and anti-dsDNA were measured using ELISA, and 24 h proteinuria was quantified. According to the rSLEDAI, 38 patients (53.5%) had LN flare, with a mean SDC-1 level of 108.5 ± 69.3 ng/mL and anti-dsDNA level of 113.1 ± 148.8 IU/mL. SDC-1 was correlated with the rSLEDAI (r = 0.32; p = 0.006), prednisone dose (r = 0.37; p = 0.002), proteinuria (r = 0.33; p = 0.005), and anti-dsDNA (r = 0.33; p = 0.006), while anti-dsDNA was positively correlated with proteinuria (r = 0.39; p = 0.001 and SDC-1 (r = 0.33; p = 0.006) and negatively correlated with age (r = −0.33; p = 0.006). High SDC-1 (cutoff ≥ 89 ng/mL) had higher sensitivity for detecting renal flares than anti-dsDNA (66% vs. 45%). In the multivariable analysis, high SDC-1 levels had around a 3-fold higher risk of being associated with LN flares, independently of anti-dsDNA and complement component levels. These results support serum SDC-1 as a promising biomarker for identifying renal flares in SLE patients, and it should be combined with traditional biomarkers to increase its value as a clinical tool. Follow-up studies are required to determine its value for predicting long-term renal outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systemic Lupus: Molecular Research, New Biomarkers and Novel Therapy)
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Review

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20 pages, 732 KB  
Review
Can Phagocytosis, Neutrophil Extracellular Traps, and IFN-α Production in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Be Simultaneously Modulated? A Pharmacological Perspective
by Stephanie Seidlberger, Sindi Huti, Santos Castañeda, Michael Schirmer, Julian Fenkart, Georg Wietzorrek and Sandra Santos-Sierra
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(2), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27020956 - 18 Jan 2026
Viewed by 759
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with multiple and heterogeneous clinical manifestations (e.g., skin lesions, kidney damage, neuropsychiatric dysfunction), that primarily affects women and whose etiology remains unclear. Various therapies that regulate and reduce the immune system activity are in use [...] Read more.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with multiple and heterogeneous clinical manifestations (e.g., skin lesions, kidney damage, neuropsychiatric dysfunction), that primarily affects women and whose etiology remains unclear. Various therapies that regulate and reduce the immune system activity are in use or are being developed; however, many of them have serious side effects. Therefore, new approaches are needed to maximize remission periods and reduce associated side effects. In this review, we summarize the currently recommended therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the combined use of drugs targeting various dysregulated cellular processes in SLE (i.e., cytokine production, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), phagocytosis) might have therapeutic potential, at least in some disease phenotypes. Preliminary data show that Toll-like receptors 7/8 (TLR 7/8) inhibition (e.g., Enpatoran) may reduce interferon-α (IFN-α) production by monocytes and NET formation by neutrophils. Our hypothesis is that future therapies combining compounds that modulate the three cellular processes might result in a better disease management as current therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systemic Lupus: Molecular Research, New Biomarkers and Novel Therapy)
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