The Role of Alpha Defensins in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Defensins are a family of antimicrobial peptides. Elevated levels of human neutrophil peptides (HNP 1–3) are seen in blood samples of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and in many rheumatic diseases. It has been suggested that they may play a significant role in the progression and pathogenesis of these diseases. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the levels of HNP 1–3 in sera of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and its association with disease activity and other clinical features of AS. Methods A total of 36 patients, who met the Modified New York Criteria for AS, and 50 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. The Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) were used to assess disease activity. The Bath AS Radiology Index (BASRI) was used to assess radiological damage. Spinal and hip measurements were determined by the Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI). An AS Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire was administered to assess the disease-related quality of life. Serum HNP 1–3 levels were determined using the ELISA kit. Results Mean serum HNP 1–3 levels were significantly higher in patients with AS (287.01±201.307 vs. 152.09±43.75 pg/ml) compared with HCs (p=0.001). HNP 1–3 levels did not correlate with BASDAI (p=0.519), ASDAS-CRP (p=0.424), BASRI (p=0.280), BASMI (p=0.168), ASQoL (p=0.307), ESR (p=0.706) and CRP (p=0.157) values. Conclusion Elevated serum levels of HNP 1–3 may play an important role in the pathogenetic mechanisms of AS. This result may give us an opportunity to develop new treatment strategies considering the role of these peptides in the pathogenetic mechanisms of AS.