Published in:
01-10-2010 | Editorial
Rethinking the red wolf disease: does Protein S suppress systemic lupus erythematosus clinical activity?
Author:
Gregg J Silverman
Published in:
Arthritis Research & Therapy
|
Issue 5/2010
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Abstract
In systemic lupus erythematosus, the forces responsible for disease initiation and self-perpetuation in these clinically heterogeneous populations remain poorly understood. Recent studies of the TAM (Tyro3, Axl and MerTK) family of receptor tyrosine kinases may lead to a better understanding of the fundamental control system responsible for the clearance of apoptotic cells and the regulation of inflammation. In a recent report, serum levels of the TAM ligand, Protein S, was found to correlate with certain disease manifestations and with C3 and C4 levels. Protein S levels could provide a quantitative clinical biomarker but it remains to be determined whether this factor directly affects disease activity.