Abstract: TH-PO793
Identification of Unique Molecular "Fingerprints" of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Evaluation of Kidney Function Using Urine Raman Spectroscopy and Chemometrics
Session Information
- Pathology and Lab Medicine - I
November 02, 2023 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Pennsylvania Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Pathology and Lab Medicine
- 1800 Pathology and Lab Medicine
Authors
- Senger, Ryan S., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University College of Engineering, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
- Sullivan, Kathleen E., The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Maurer, Kelly, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Sayed Issa, Amr, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University College of Engineering, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
- Robertson, John L., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University College of Engineering, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
Background
SLE, a pan-systemic inflammatory disease, can have a deleterious effect on renal function. Timely detection and management of renal dysfunction is highly desirable, since many patients develop disease at an early age and inflammatory nephropathies can be relentlessly progressive.
Methods
We developed a Raman spectroscopic technology (Rametrix® molecular urinalysis) to detect SLE systemic/renal effects by analysis of patient urine. It is based on chemometric analysis of the Raman spectrum of urine and detects metabolomic differences. The technology is not designed specifically to detect cell degradation products (DP), such as nucleic acid DPs, but can be harnessed to probe and quantify these.
We hypothesized that SLE would alter urine composition and that Rametrix® analysis could detect renal dysfunction via urine molecular ‘fingerprinting’.
We applied Rametrix® analysis on 587 urine specimens collected from 82 patients with biopsy-proven (80/82) and/or laboratory-validated SLE markers. Patients were 8-21 years of age (median age 14.5) and 77.5% female. Most patients were African-American (183/587), Latino (162/587) or Caucasian (129/587). Serial longitudinal urine samples were obtained on multiple individuals. A renal SLEDAI-2K score was correlated to Rametrix® findings.
Using chemometric analysis of urine Raman spectra, we compared SLE urine spectra with urine spectra from urine of healthy controls (203), patients with CKD (20), COVID19 patients (118), bladder cancer patients (19) and Lyme disease patients (20).
Results
Rametrix® molecular urinalysis distinguished SLE-associated changes in urine composition with predictive metrics (accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV) ranging between 73-97%.
A correlation between changes in urine Raman spectra and physician assessment of disease (SLEDAI-2K) was also found through computational analysis.
Urine spectra from SLE and COVID19 patients showed notable Raman spectral similarities, suggesting common inflammatory pathways (interferonopathies).
Conclusion
Raman molecular urinalysis can be useful to detect and manage SLE and renal dysfunction.
Funding
- Commercial Support – Rametrix Technologies, Inc.