This invention provides the use of VSTM1 expression levels or the degree of oxidation modification of its ligand
Galectin-1, or the degree of interaction between the two, in the diagnosis of active SLE. This invention verified by
flow cytometry that neutrophil ROS levels are increased in SLE patients, and that SLE patient serum significantly promotes increased neutrophil ROS formation and
cell death. In neutrophils of active SLE patients, VSTM1 expression levels at both mRNA and
protein levels were significantly lower than in healthy controls. Simultaneously, the binding of VSTM1 to its serum ligand
Galectin-1 inhibited neutrophil ROS formation and
cell death. In active SLE patients, the binding degree of VSTM1 to
Galectin-1 was significantly reduced. The degree of Galectin-1 oxidation in SLE serum was higher than in healthy controls, and oxidized Galectin-1 could not bind to the
receptor VSTM1, resulting in increased neutrophil ROS and
cell death. These results indicate that the expression of
receptor VSTM1, the oxidation of ligand Galectin-1, and the binding of
receptor VSTM1 and ligand Galectin-1 can all serve as diagnostic markers for patients with active SLE.