Serum Levels of BAFF and APRIL Predict Clinical Response in Anti-PLA2R-Positive Primary Membranous Nephropathy

Figure 3

BAFF/BLyS and APRIL serum levels before and after 6-month immunosuppressive therapy among groups. (a) Baseline serum levels of BAFF/BLyS were significantly lower in group 1 (anti-PLA2R clearance after 6-month therapy, ) as compared to group 2 (anti-PLA2R persistence after 6-month therapy, ) ( vs. , ). If compared with BAFF/BLyS serum levels after 6-month therapy, really a significant reduction was observed mainly in group 1 ( vs. , , white histograms), while in group 2, this reduction, though significant, was less pronounced ( vs. , , gray histograms). (b) Baseline serum levels of APRIL were significantly lower in group 1 (anti-PLA2R clearance after 6-month therapy, ) as compared to group 2 (anti-PLA2R persistence after 6-month therapy, ) ( vs. , ). If compared with APRIL serum levels after 6-month therapy, really a significant reduction was observed mainly in group 1 ( vs. , , white histograms), while in group 2, this reduction, though significant, was less pronounced ( vs. , , gray histograms). (c) Baseline serum levels of BAFF/BLyS were significantly lower in PMN patients who achieved complete or partial remission (CR/PR, ) after 24-month follow-up, as compared with those with limited response or nonresponders (LR/NR, ) ( vs. , ). Moreover, if the BAFF/BLyS baseline serum levels were compared to those assessed after 6-month follow-up, the cytokine reduction was more marked in patients who achieved the best clinical outcome (CR/PR) after 24-month follow-up ( vs. , , white histograms), as compared with the other group (LR/NR) ( vs. , , gray histograms). (d) Baseline serum levels of APRIL were significantly lower in PMN patients who achieved complete or partial remission (CR/PR, ) after 24-month follow-up, as compared with those with limited response or nonresponders (LR/NR, ) ( vs. , ). Moreover, if the APRIL baseline serum levels were compared to those assessed after 6-month follow-up, the cytokine reduction was more marked in patients who achieved the best clinical outcome (CR/PR) after 24-month follow-up ( vs. , , white histograms), as compared with the other group (LR/NR) ( vs. for APRIL, , gray histograms). Mann-Whitney test for nonparametric data. Data in the graphs are expressed as .

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