Abdel-Rehim ASM, et al. - The present study was conducted to explore the potential role of serum interleukin-34 (IL-34) as an early marker for the detection of silent lupus nephritis (LN). Researchers enrolled a total of 33 lupus individuals with silent LN (group I), 37 individuals with clinical LN (group II) and 20 controls. They analyzed the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI), IL-34, anti-dsDNA antibodies and renal biopsy in all individuals. The results found higher serum IL-34 levels in all lupus patients in comparison with healthy controls and indicated a significant positive association with SLEDAI score. Serum levels of IL-34 identified the different histological classes of subclinical LN in lupus patients with insignificant proteinuria. The results consider that serum IL-34 can be applied as a surrogate marker for early renal affection in silent LN, particularly the proliferative type.