The researchers then focused on four proteins that were present in high levels after symptoms appeared. These proteins or their analogs had not previously been known to be present in the urine of patients or mice with lupus kidney disease.

Dr. Mohan said monitoring urinary levels of these four proteins might also reveal more about the mechanisms of lupus. Each protein is involved in a different biochemical process, so the stage of the disease at which each appears in urine might prove informative, he said.

Testing for these proteins might also have the potential to monitor kidney damage that results from diabetes, hypertension and other conditions, said Dr. Mohan.

Other UT Southwestern researchers participating in the study were Dr. Tianfu Wu, assistant professor of internal medicine; Dr. Yuyang Fu, former postdoctoral fellow in internal medicine; Dr. Deirdre Brekken, adjunct assistant professor of pharmacology; research associate Mei Yan; Dr. Xin Jin Zhou, professor of pathology and internal medicine; research associate Kamala Vanarsa; research intern Nima Deljavan; and Dr. Chul Ahn, professor of clinical sciences.

Dr. Chaim Putterman of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine also participated in this study.

Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center