Lupus Nephritis
Lupus nephritis is a severe complication that arises from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), characterized by the onset of inflammation in the kidneys, ultimately resulting in kidney impairment and damage. Our company is distinctly recognized in the realm of rare disease research, with a specific focus on lupus nephritis, offering tailored and comprehensive services to researchers in this field.
Overview of Lupus Nephritis
Found commonly as a manifestation of SLE, an autoimmune disorder impacting diverse organs and tissues throughout the body, lupus nephritis involves the immune system erroneously attacking healthy kidney cells and tissues. This assault leads to inflammation and deterioration of the kidney tissue, specifically affecting the glomeruli and hindering their ability to efficiently filter waste and excess fluids. If left untreated, this damage can progress, ultimately culminating in kidney failure.
Fig.1 Pathogenic mechanisms and related biomarkers in lupus nephritis. (Renaudineau, Y., et al., 2023)
Pathogenesis of Lupus Nephritis
The development of lupus nephritis is attributed to a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. In individuals with SLE, autoantibodies are generated by the immune system and form immune complexes upon binding to their target antigens. These immune complexes deposited in the glomeruli, activate the complement system, prompting the recruitment of immune cells. Prolonged inflammation and immune activation trigger the activation of fibroblasts and the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, leading to fibrosis and scarring within the kidney tissue.
Fig.2 Immune system activation in lupus nephritis. (Yu, C., et al., 2022)Biomarkers Development of Lupus Nephritis
The diagnosis and monitoring of lupus nephritis involve the use of various biomarkers that offer crucial insights into the severity of kidney involvement, predict disease progression, and influence therapy decisions. Here are some commonly used biomarkers for lupus nephritis:
- Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)
- Activated leukocyte CAM (ALCAM)
- Platelet factor 4 (PF-4)
- Angiogenin-like protein 4 (Angptl4)
- L-selectin (CD62L)
- Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)
- Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)
- Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)
- Human neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)
- Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM1)
Therapeutics Development of Lupus Nephritis
| Names | Therapeutics Types | Mechanism of Action | Research Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voclosporin | Small molecule drug | A calcineurin inhibitors | Approval |
| Iberdomide | Small molecule drug | Promote the degradation of the transcription factors Ikaros and Aiolos | Phase II trials |
| Deucravacitinib | Small molecule drug | An oral TYK2 inhibitor | Phase III trials |
| Belimumab | Antibody | Inhibits B-cell activating factor | Approval |
| Anifrolumab | Antibody | An anti-type I interferon receptor drug | Approval |
| Obinutuzumab | Antibody | A humanized type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody | Phase II trials |
| K-IFNα® | Therapeutic vaccine | Enhance immune response | Phase II trials |
| IRF5 siRNA | RNA interference | Targeting of the interferon regulatory factor 5 | Preclinical research |
Our Services
Our team of experts is dedicated to providing personalized support and guidance throughout the research process. Through our advanced animal models and therapeutic development platform, we facilitate groundbreaking discoveries in the area of rare diseases like lupus nephritis.
Platforms of Lupus Nephritis Therapy Development
Animal Models of Lupus Nephritis
Animal models play a pivotal role in unraveling the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis and exploring potential therapeutic interventions. Our company provides a variety of animal models of lupus nephritis to accelerate your innovative therapy development and therapeutic effect evaluation.
Induced animal models of lupus nephritis involve triggering the development of the disease in animals using chemicals or toxins. By injecting substances that induce kidney inflammation, researchers can replicate key features of lupus nephritis in these animals.
Optional Models: Pristane-induced model; Nephrotoxic serum-induced model, etc.
Spontaneous Models
The spontaneous animal model of lupus nephritis occurs naturally in certain animal strains and develops into kidney involvement similar to lupus nephritis without the need for genetic manipulation.
Optional Models: MRL/lpr model; NZB/NZW F1 model; BXSB model, etc.
Genetic engineering models involve altering the genetic makeup of animals to mirror the genetic mutations associated with lupus nephritis in humans. Through specific genetic modifications, researchers can reproduce the disease phenotype observed.
Optional Models: Fcgr2b-/- model, etc.
Our unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, and collaboration sets us apart as a pivotal partner for researchers striving to advance the understanding and therapy of rare diseases. Offering an extensive range of cutting-edge tools and technologies, we are devoted to supporting your pharmacokinetic research and drug safety evaluation endeavors.
If you are interested in learning more about our services and how we can support your research endeavors, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for further information.
References
- Renaudineau, Yves et al. "Lupus Nephritis Risk Factors and Biomarkers: An Update." International journal of molecular sciences 24.19 (2023): 14526.
- Yu, Chen et al. "Lupus nephritis: new progress in diagnosis and treatment." Journal of autoimmunity 132 (2022): 102871.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.