B-cell activating factor (BAFF) gene expression is a better measure and predictor of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity than the serum BAFF protein level, according to of study of 275 patients with SLE. Researchers found:

• Elevated BAFF gene expression was associated with a history of more leucopenia and serologically with more autoantibodies (anti-dsDNA, anti-Sn, anti-Ro, anti La, and anti-RNP) and low complement.

• Patients with higher amounts of BAFF transcript had higher measured levels of clinical disease activity.

• Initial high levels of BAFF gene expression also predicted increased disease activity over the next year.

• In contrast, serum concentration of BAFF protein was not strongly associated with either same-day global disease activity or with future disease activity.

Citation: Zollars E, Nienkowska J, Czerkowicz J, et al. BAFF (B cell activating factor) transcript level in peripheral blood of patients with SLE is associated with same-day disease activity as well as global activity over the next year. Lupus Sci Med. 2015 Jun18;2(1):e000063. doi: 10.1136/lupus-2014-000063.