GPX4 mRNA Levels in Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils Are Negatively Correlated with Autoantibody Production, Disease Activity, and Lupus Alopecia in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The study found that GPX4 mRNA levels in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are significantly lower in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared to healthy controls and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Lower GPX4 mRNA levels were negatively correlated with the presence of autoantibodies, disease activity markers, and lupus alopecia. Specifically, GPX4 mRNA levels were inversely related to antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), anti-dsDNA antibodies, antinucleosome antibodies (ANuA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores. The diagnostic accuracy of GPX4 mRNA for SLE was high, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.8483, sensitivity of 78.00%, and specificity of 80.95%. These findings suggest that GPX4 mRNA could serve as a valuable diagnostic marker and potential therapeutic target for SLE, particularly for lupus alopecia.