Plasma level of deoxyribonuclease I (DNASE I) and its relationship with immune disorders in systemic lupus erythematosus

Background Nucleosomes are the key autoantigens in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Immune complexes including nucleosomes are the chief reason for tissue injury. Deoxyribonuclease 1 (DNASE I), as an endonuclease enzyme, is one of the key molecules involved in the degradation of the apoptosis pathway and its function is diminished in SLE patients. Objective This study aimed to evaluate DNASE I concentration in the plasma of systemic lupus patients and its relationship with immune disorders. Patients and methods This study was carried out on 90 SLE children and 92 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Plasma DNASE I level and levels of serum antinuclear antibody and serum anti-dsDNA were evaluated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Complement components C3 and C4 were estimated by the turbidimetric assay. Conclusion The authors found a lower level of DNASE I among SLE patients than the healthy control group. In addition, our results suggested no significant association between the enzyme level and immune disorders, or any complications among systemic lupus patients.