Serum level of complement factor D in systemic lupus erythematosus--an indicator of glomerular filtration rate.

Serum levels of complement factor D, a low molecular weight (LMW) protein, were high and inversely correlated with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) determined in 19 patients with lupus glomerulonephritis (LGN). Factor D was significantly closer correlated with S-creatinine than were two other LMW proteins, beta 2-microglobulin and gamma-trace in 22 LGN patients. Close correlations between each of the LMW proteins and S-creatinine were found in patients with a non-inflammatory disorder, polycystic kidney disease. Slightly increased beta 2-microglobulin concentrations were found in 15 of 20 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients without renal involvement, while factor D and gamma-trace showed normal values in most of these patients. The findings imply that serum concentrations of complement factor D in SLE are mainly determined by the GFR.