Association Between Serum Alarmin Levels and Disease-specific Indices in Patients With Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis.

Abstract

We evaluated the relationship between serum alarmin levels and disease-specific indices in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). Sera and data from 79 patients were utilized. For AAV-specific indices, Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS), five-factor score (FFS), and vasculitis damage index (VDI) were collected and serum levels of four alarmins (hepatoma-derived growth factor, high mobility group box protein 1, S100A9, and S100A12) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associations between alarmin levels, AAV-specific indices, and inflammatory laboratory markers were assessed. S100A9 levels were significantly correlated with C-reactive protein levels (r=0.316, p=0.005) and S100A12 levels correlated with VDI (r=0.232, p=0.040), which was consistent in a subgroup of patients with myeloperoxidase (perinuclear)-ANCA positivity. No other associations were found between alarmin levels and BVAS, FFS, and VDI. The serum S100A12 level was associated with organ damage in AAV, especially in myeloperoxidase (perinuclear)-ANCA-positive patients.