Serum Levels Of Rheumatoid Factor Research Articles

Role and mechanism of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role and mechanism of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One hundred and twenty patients with RA who had been admitted to the Huaihe Hospital of Henan University between January and December 2013 were enrolled in the study as the observation group, while, in the corresponding period, 30 healthy volunteers were enrolled as the control group. The serum levels of VCAM-1 and rheumatoid factor (RF) were detected using ELISA. The patients underwent conventional treatment and their serum VCAM-1 and RF levels were detected at different time-points to determine their correlation. The observation group exhibited significantly higher serum VCAM-1 and RF levels than the control group (P<0.01). Twenty-four hours after treatment, the serum VCAM-1 levels of the patients peaked (1,269.47±128.76 µg/l); 36 h after treatment, the serum RF levels peaked (34.42±8.45 U/ml); 1 month after treatment, the VCAM-1 and serum RF levels of the patients were lower than those prior to treatment (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis indicated that there was a significant, positive correlation between the serum VCAM-1 and RF levels in the patients with RA (r=0.852, P<0.01). In conclusion, the serum VCAM-1 levels of patients with RA increased and subsequently decreased as the condition was relieved, which could possibly be associated with the autoimmune and inflammatory reactions found in RA. Serum VCAM-1 levels can therefore reflect the disease condition and curative effects of treatment.

Suppressed diversity of survivin splicing in active rheumatoid arthritis.

IntroductionAlternative splicing distinguishes normal and pathologic cells. High levels of oncoprotein survivin recognise patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we assess clinical relevance of alternative splicing of survivin in leukocytes of peripheral blood (PBMC) and bone marrow (BM) in RA patients.MethodTranscription of survivin wild-type (survivin-WT), survivin-2B and survivin-ΔEx3 was measured in 67 randomly selected RA patients and in 23 patients before and after B cell depletion with rituximab. Analysis was done in relation to disease activity, anti-rheumatic treatment and serum levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) and survivin.ResultsSurvivin-WT was the dominant splice variant equally expressed in T and B cells, while survivin-2B and survivin-ΔEx3 were higher in B cells. High disease activity (DAS28>5.1) was associated with an excess of survivin-WT and low ratios between survivin-2B/WT (p=0.035) and survivin-ΔEx3/WT in PBMC. Depletion of B cells by rituximab caused a decrease in survivin-WT (p=0.005) in PBMC, increasing the ratio between survivin-2B/WT (p=0.009) and survivin-ΔEx3/WT (p=0.001) in BM. This increase in survivin-2B/WT was associated with reduction in CD19+ BM cells (r=0.929, p=0.007), RF (IgM, r=0.857, p=0.024; IgA, r=0.739, p=0.021), and DAS28 (0.636, p=0.054). The increase in survivin-ΔEx3 in BM was associated with a reduction of CD19+ BM cells (r=0.714, p=0.058) and DAS28 (r=0.648, p=0.049), while survivin-ΔEx3/WT was associated with RF (IgG, r=0.882, p=0.016).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the suppressed diversity of survivin splicing in leukocytes may attribute to adverse self-recognition in RA. Depletion of autoantibody producing B cells improves the balance of survivin splicing.

The relationship between rheumatoid factor levels and coronary artery lesion complexity and severity in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

IntroductionThe relation between serum rheumatoid factor levels and the extent, severity, and complexity of coronary artery disease has not been adequately studied.AimTherefore, we assessed the relationship between the severity of coronary artery disease assessed by SYNTAX score and serum rheumatoid factor levels in patients with stable coronary artery disease.Material and methodsWe enrolled 268 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography. Patients with acute coronary syndrome and chronic immune disorders were excluded. Baseline serum rheumatoid factor levels were measured and the SYNTAX score was calculated from the study population.ResultsPatients were divided into two groups. Group 1 was defined as low SYNTAX score < 22, and group 2 was defined as intermediate and high SYNTAX score > 22. Serum rheumatoid factor levels were significantly higher in the intermediate and high-SYNTAX score group than in the low-SYNTAX score group (16.4 ±9 IU/mlvs. 11.36 ±5 IU/ml, p < 0.001). Also, there was a significant correlation between rheumatoid factor and CRP levels with the SYNTAX score r = 0.411; p < 0.001 and r = 0.275; p < 0.001, respectively. On multivariate linear regression analysis, rheumatoid factor (β = 0.101, p < 0.001) was an independent risk factor for intermediate and high SYNTAX score in patients with stable coronary artery disease. In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, optimal cut-off value of rheumatoid factor to predict high SYNTAX score was found to be 10.5 IU/ml, with 69% sensitivity and 61% specificity.ConclusionsThe rheumatoid factor level was independently associated with the extent, complexity, and severity of coronary artery disease assessed by SYNTAX score in patients with stable coronary artery diseases.

リウマトイド因子が高値で関節リウマチ様症状を呈し下肢に紫斑を生じた成人ヒトパルボウイルス B19 感染症の 1 例

リウマトイド因子が高値で関節リウマチ様症状を呈し下肢に紫斑を生じた成人ヒトパルボウイルス B19 感染症の 1 例

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and paraoxonase-1 polymorphism in rheumatoid arthritis.

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic inflammatory joint disease, with a worldwide prevalence of 0.5% to 1%. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP-2 Ab) is a marker of choice for diagnosing early and late RA. Anti-oxidant enzymes activity decreases in RA patients. Till now, the relationship between the rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP-2 Ab, anti-oxidant activity and polymorphism of paraoxenase-1 (PON-1) 192 Q/R in patients with RA has not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to determine the serum level of RF and anti-CCP-2 Ab, PON-1 activity and 192 Q/R polymorphism and arylesterase (ARE) activity in patients with RA. Also, we studied RA markers in different genotypes of PON-1 of RA patients.MethodsA total of 120 RA patients and 90 healthy persons were subjected to full clinical examinations and routine laboratory tests. PON-1 and ARE activities were determined using an enzymatic spectrophotometric method. PON-1 192 gene polymorphism was determined using polymerase chain reaction based restriction fragment analysis. RF was measured by immunoturbidimetry method and anti-CCP-2 Ab was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for windows 20.0.ResultsThe sensitivity and specificity of anti-CCP-2 Ab for the diagnosis of RA were 76.2% and 100% respectively. PON-1 and ARE activities were statistically lower (P <0.001) in the RA group compared to the control group. A negative correlation between RF and anti-CCP-2 Ab levels and PON-1 and ARE activities was found. No significant difference in the genotype distribution between RA patients and healthy persons was detected. RF and anti-CCP-2 Ab levels were higher in RA patients carried RR genotype than in those carried QQ genotype.ConclusionHigh RF and anti-CCP-2 antibody serum levels were found to be associated with decreased PON-1 and ARE activities with no correlation between PON-1 polymorphism and serum levels of RF and anti-CCP-2 Ab in patients with RA. These results may indicate an implication between antioxidant enzymes activity and serum levels of RF and anti-CCP-2 Ab.

Effect of pentoxifylline and pioglitazone on rheumatoid arthritis induced experimentally in rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) and pioglitazone (Pg), each alone and in combination with methotrexate (MTX), on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) induced experimentally in male albino rats.BackgroundIndividuals have long feared RA as one of the most disabling types of arthritis. It is estimated that over 46 million individuals have arthritis, ~1% worldwide.Material and methodsOne hundred and eighty adult male albino rats were used in the present study. MTX was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg daily. PTX was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 150 mg/kg/rat/day, whereas Pg was administered orally at a dose of 3 mg/kg/day. All doses were administered for a period of 2 weeks. RA was induced by two methods: adjuvant-induced arthritis and pristane-induced arthritis (PIA). Adjuvant-induced arthritis was induced by an intradermal injection of 0.1 ml of complete Freund adjuvant. This type of arthritis appears about 8-12 days after injection. PIA was induced by a single intradermal injection with 0.2 ml pristane at the base of the tail. PIA develops in 2-3 weeks after injection and progresses with a relapsing course that persists for months.ResultsThe anti-inflammatory properties of these drugs were confirmed by reduction of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum rheumatoid factor level, serum C-reactive protein level, serum tumor necrosis factor-a level, serum nitrite level, and blood superoxide dismutase level, whereas antioxidant activities were confirmed by an increase in the blood reduced glutathione level. Our study showed that Pg alone exerts portentous effects in the treatment of RA. However, it was more active in combination with MTX.ConclusionOur study showed that Pg was the most potent drug in treating arthritic rats, followed by PTX, with lesser potency in treating arthritic rats. When comparing the two combinations, the combination of Pg with MTX was the most potent one. The second combination was the combination of PTX with MTX.

Mesenchymal stromal cells versus betamethasone can dampen disease activity in the collagen arthritis mouse model

The objective of this study was to compare between the effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and betamethasone in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Sixty male albino mice were divided equally into 2 models. They are MSC model, group 1: saline control group, group 2: collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), group 3: induced arthritis mice that received intravenous injection of MSCs. Betamethasone model, group 1: phosphate buffer saline, group 2: CIA, group 3: induced arthritis mice that received intraperitoneal injection of betamethasone. Mice arthritis models were assessed by clinical paw edema and X-rays, at the proper time of sacrefaction, tissues were collected and examined using real-time PCR, and synovial tissue was examined for interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor α, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and matrix metalloproteinase 3. While serum levels of rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Also blood erythrocyte sedimentation rate was detected. Histopathological, paw edema and PCR results showed improvement in the groups that received MSC compared with the diseased group and the groups which received betamethasone. MSC significantly enhanced the effect of collagen-induced arthritis treatment, which is superior to betamethasone treatment, likely through the modulation of the expression of various cytokines.

Higher Serum Levels of Rheumatoid Factor and Anti-Nuclear Antibodies in Helicobacter Pylori-Infected Peptic Ulcer Patients

H. pylori infection has been associated with some autoimmune disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum concentrations of rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies in H. pylori-infected peptic ulcer patients, H. pylori-infected asymptomatic carriers and a healthy control group. A Total of 100 H. pylori-infected peptic ulcer patients, 65 asymptomatic carriers and 30 healthy H. pylori-negative subjects (as a control group) were enrolled into study. Serum samples of participants tested for the levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies by use of ELISA. The mean serum levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies in peptic ulcer group was significantly higher in comparison to the control group (p<0.05). Although, the mean serum levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies in the asymptomatic carriers group was higher than those in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant. No significant differences were observed between peptic ulcer patients and asymptomatic carriers groups regarding the mean serum levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies. The mean serum levels of rheumatoid factor in men with peptic ulcer was significantly higher compared to the group of healthy men (p<0.05). Although in female of peptic ulcer patients or asymptomatic carriers groups, the mean serum levels of rheumatoid factor was higher than that in healthy women, but the differences were not statistically significant. Also, no significant differences were observed between men and women with peptic ulcer, asymptomatic carriers control groups based on the serum levels of anti-nuclear antibodies. The results showed higher serum levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies in H. pylori-infected patients with peptic ulcer disease which represent the H. pylori-related immune disturbance in these patients. Additional follow-up studies are necessary to clarify the clinical significance of these autoantibodies in patients with H. pylori infection.

AB0510 Monitoring disease activity and response through power doppler ultrasonography in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with rituximab – correlations with antibodies pannel

BackgroundRituximab is a a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody approved to reduce the signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with inadequate response to first...

SAT0038 Impact of Smoking on Remission Rates Differs Between Male and Female Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Study Based on the Iorra (Institute of Rheumatology, Rheumatoid Arthritis) Cohort

BackgroundSmoking is a known risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and impacts the severity of RA or therapeutic response to RA. However, whether the impact of smoking on RA...

THU0461-HPR Global assessment of disease by the patient in the new ACR/EULAR remission criteria: Why do not fulfil the remission?

BackgroundRecently, new criteria has been described for assessing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) remission. However, in clinical practice, patients who may be in remission by these criteria (ACR/EULAR 2011), ofter fail to...

AB0678 Artrhitic patterns in systemic lupus erythematosus

ObjectivesTo describe the arthritic patterns in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients and their relationship with clinical and immunological features.MethodsData was obtained from a long term prospective cohort of SLE patients...

Serologic Factors in Early Relapse of IgG4-Related Orbital Inflammation After Steroid Treatment

To determine whether serologic factors correlate with early relapse in cases of IgG4-related orbital inflammation, a lymphoproliferative disorder. Retrospective cohort study. We examined the orbital images and serum data of 30 patients with (n=24) or without (n=6) corticosteroid treatment before and after corticosteroid treatment and 6months after discontinuation of corticosteroid treatment. Seven patients (23%) (all with corticosteroid treatment) had elevated serum levels of rheumatoid factor. Of the 24 patients with corticosteroid treatment, 24 (100%) showed regression of the lesion, but 8 of the24 (33%) showed relapse. The serum IgG4 levels before and after corticosteroid treatment were not significantly different between the relapsed and nonrelapsed groups (P=.5 and P=.2, respectively). However, the incidence of patients who were rheumatoid factor-positive was significantly higher in the relapsed group (P=.02). The 6 patients without corticosteroid treatment showed minor proliferation or regression of the lesion at the 6-month follow-up. The serum rheumatoid factor level may correlate with proliferative activity in IgG4-related orbital inflammation.

오디추출물 투여가 류머티즘 요인이 있는 일부 한국 중년여성의 혈중 항산화 및 항염증 관련 지표수준에 미치는 영향

본 연구의 목적은 오디가 류머티스 요인(Rheumatoid Factor: RF>10 u/mL)이 있는 중년여성의 혈중 항산화 및 항염증 지표수준에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 32명의 중년여성을 2군 (NMG, AMG)으로 나누어 4주간의 오디 추출물 투여 전ㆍ후로 체성분 측정 및 채혈을 통하여 혈청 산화(TBARS, FRAP) 및 염증성 지표물질(요산, C-reactive protein: CRP, RF 및 homocystein) 농도를 분석 및 비교하였다. 연구결과 오디 추출물 투여에 따른 NMG와 AMG간의 체성분에는 차이가 없었다. AMG의 CRP 수준은 <TEX>$0.80{\pm}0.05$</TEX> mg/dL에서 <TEX>$0.55{\pm}0.02$</TEX> mg/dL로 유의적으로 감소하였다(p<0.05). AMG의 오디 추출물 투여 전의 혈청 TBARS 수준(<TEX>$63.04{\pm}12.20$</TEX> mol/L)은 투여 후(<TEX>$57.44{\pm}11.16$</TEX> mol)와 유의적인 차이는 없었으나, 감소하는 경향을 보였다. AMG의 혈청 FRAP 수준은 급여 전(<TEX>$1239.02{\pm}63.22$</TEX> mol)에 비해 급여 후(<TEX>$1556.21{\pm}11.16$</TEX> mol) 유의적으로 증가되었다(p<0.05). AMG의 혈청 TNF-<TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX>가 <TEX>$8.78{\pm}0.12$</TEX> pg/mL에서 <TEX>$6.58{\pm}0.16$</TEX> pg/mL로, IL-2 수준은 <TEX>$5.41{\pm}0.71$</TEX> pg/mL에서 <TEX>$3.94{\pm}0.03$</TEX> pg/mL로, IL-4 수준은 <TEX>$7.21{\pm}0.61$</TEX> pg/mL에서 <TEX>$5.15{\pm}0.36$</TEX> pg/mL로 감소하여 오디 추출물 투여에 의한 항산화 및 항염증 활성이 규명되었다. 이상의 연구결과로 볼 때 오디는 류머티즘 요인이 있는 중년여성의 항산화 및 항염증 활성을 강화시키는데 도움이 된 것으로 보인다. 따라서 산화 스트레스 감소를 통한 염증조절물질로써 오디를 꾸준히 섭취한다면 류머티스 관절염(Rheumatoid Arthiritis: RA)환자의 질병관리에 부작용 없이 도움이 될 것으로 사료된다. 본 연구를 기초로 후속적으로 RA 발병 유발인자인 사이토카인을 효과적으로 통제할 수 있는 오디를 활용한 치료식 개발 및 보급을 활성화하여 국내 오디 농가의 부가가치 창출에도 기여할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다. This study investigated the effect of mulberry fruit extract(MFE) on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of middle aged women with rheumatoid factor (RF). Thirty two middle-aged subjects were divided into two groups which were normal middle-aged group (NMG) and abnormal middle-aged group whose serum RF level were > 10 u/mL (AMG). All groups had consumed MFE (100 mL/day) for 4 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, serum inflammatory factors, serum oxidative stress markers analyses were performed at baseline and then at 4 weeks following the study. There were no significant differences in anthropometric measurements, including BMI, WHR and body fat composition between two groups. But after 4 weeks MFE consumption, serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), serum TNF-<TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX>, IL-2, IL-4 had significantly decreased (p<0.05) in AMG. These findings suggested that the MFE consumption as food may be protective against oxidation and inflammation like RA.

A case of hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis with a high serum level of rheumatoid factor

We report a case of hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis with an elevated serum rheumatoid factor level. Hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis is an immune complex-mediated disease characterised by urticarial eruptions. High levels of rheumatoid factor may be associated with hypocomplementaemia due to the consumption of complement, because the rheumatoid factor can form immune complexes with immunoglobulin. It is necessary to pay attention to the amounts of complement in cases of urticarial eruptions with elevated rheumatoid factor level. The eruptions were relieved with a combination of prednisolone and colchicine.

BAFF/APRIL pathway in Sjögren syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus: relationship with chronic inflammation and disease activity

BAFF and APRIL belong to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily and are crucial for the survival, maturation, and differentiation of B cells. Aim of the study is to evaluate BAFF and APRIL in patients affected by Sjögren syndrome (SS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Sixty patients, (40 SLE, 20 SS) and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. All subjects were evaluated for laboratory data (ESR, CRP, immunoglobulin G, A and M, complement fragments C3 and C4, LDH, beta2microglobulin, serum levels of rheumatoid factor), autoantibodies (ANA; ENA-SSA, -SSB, -Sm) and lymphocytes subpopulations. For patients, disease activity and damage indexes were assessed with the use of SLEDAI and SLICC and SSDAI and SSDDI for SLE and SS, respectively. BAFF and APRIL were determined by commercial sandwich ELISA kit (R&D Systems, Bender MedSystem). Statistical analysis has been performed with software Prism (Graphpad Instat, version 5.00). APRIL levels were higher among SLE and SS patients compared to controls (p<0.0001, and p0.0001, respectively). BAFF levels in SLE were significantly higher than in SS (p<0.0001). We found higher BAFF levels in SLE and SS compared to controls (p<0.0001). Among SLE patients APRIL correlated with SLEDAI (r 0.3, p 0.04), SLICC (r 0.5,p 0.001), ESR (r 0.3, p 0.005) and CRP (r 0.4, p 0.02). Among SS patients APRIL correlated with SSDAI (r 0.4, p 0.02), SSDDI (r 0.4, p0.01), IgG (r 0.5, p0.01), ESR (r 0.6, p 0.01), CRP (r 0.6, p 0.02) and CD19 B lymphocytes absolute count (r 0.4, p 0.04); BAFF correlated with SSDDI (r 0.7, p 0.004) and CD19 B lymphocytes absolute count (r 0.5, p 0.04). In this study we showed a correlation between disease activity, damage indexes and BAFF/APRIL levels in SLE and SS patients suggesting a role in the strong activation of the immune system in patients with active disease.

Specific expression of PAD4 and citrullinated proteins in lung cancer is not associated with anti-CCP antibody production

Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs), produced against citrullinated proteins, are diagnostic and prognostic markers of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The underlying mechanism that explains the connection of smoking, citrullination [catalyzed by peptidyl arginine deiminases (PADs)] and ACPAs is still unclarified in RA. Thus, we searched for a non-arthritic model in which an increased cell death allows the formation of autoantibodies. Data supporting that lung cancer might be a good candidate are as follows: (i) smoking plays a role in its pathogenesis, (ii) the disease is frequently accompanied by paraneoplastic syndrome, (iii) smoking increases citrullination in the lung, (iv) various types of malignancies are associated with increased citrullination and (v) lung cancer tissue shows similarities with RA synovium. Serum PAD4, rheumatoid factor (RF) and ACPA levels were measured in 42 lung cancer patients; expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK7), PAD4 and citrullinated proteins was visualized in 113 lung cancer tissues. All parameters were analyzed in correlation with smoking history. None of the patients had polyarthritis or autoimmune disease. Significantly increased RF levels were associated with higher PAD4 levels in smoker lung cancer patients compared with non-smokers. Both PAD4 and citrullination immunostaining strongly correlated with that of CK7 in lung cancer, however, did not differ according to smoking history. Two of 30 smoker lung cancer patients had high anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide levels. In conclusion, PAD4 and citrullination may be helpful in distinguishing lung cancer from healthy tissue. Smoking, abnormal serum PAD4 and RF levels may not be sufficient for the production of ACPAs and development of autoimmunity.

High serum levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-phosphatidylserine antibody in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Immunopathological and inflammatory processes play important roles in the initiation and development of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of several autoantibodies including rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (anti-Sm), anti-phosphatidylserine (anti-PS) and anti-cardiolipin (anti-CL) antibodies in patients with IHD. A total of 120 patients with IHD with acute myocardial infarction (AMI; n=60) or unstable angina (UA; n=60) and 60 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Serum samples of participants were tested for the ANA, anti-Sm, anti-PS and anti-CL antibodies by ELISA. Serum level of RF was measured by a turbidometric method. The mean serum levels of RF and anti-PS antibodies in AMI group and UA group were significantly higher than those observed in the control group (p<0.0001). The mean serum levels of RF and anti-PS antibodies in AMI patients were significantly higher than the UA group (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). The mean serum levels of RF in men with AMI or UA diseases were significantly higher as compared to healthy control men (p<0.0001 and p<0.003, respectively). The differences of the serum levels of ANA, anti-Sm and anti-CL antibodies were not significant between AMI, UA and the control groups. There was no difference in the serum levels of RF, ANA, anti-Sm, anti-PS or anti-CL antibodies in patients with traditional risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and smoking, and those without a certain risk factor. Higher serum levels of RF and anti-PS antibody in patients with IHD may be considered as independent risk factors for IHD.

Association of Anti-Modified Citrullinated Vimentin with Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Compared with Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide

To investigate anti-modified citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including correlation with disease activity and cardiovascular risk factors, compared with anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP3). Anti-MCV and anti-CCP3 concentrations were measured in 100 patients with early RA and 100 healthy controls at baseline to determine sensitivity and specificity. Patients received methotrexate (MTX) 0.2 mg/kg/week plus prednisone 10 mg/day. Anti-MCV, anti-CCP3, rheumatoid factor (RF), Disease Activity Score for 28 joints (DAS-28), lipid profile, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein assay (hsCRP), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were measured before and after 12 months of treatment. The sensitivity and specificity for anti-MCV antibody were 75% and 90%, respectively, and for anti-CCP3 antibody 71% and 96%. Serum anti-MCV and serum anti-CCP3 levels at baseline were positively correlated with hsCRP, IL-6, HOMA-IR index, serum RF levels (p < 0.001), and cIMT (p < 0.05). Serum anti-MCV was positively correlated with serum anti-CCP3 levels. There were significant positive correlations between the percentage of changes of anti-MCV levels versus changes in DAS-28, ESR, hsCRP, atherogenic ratios (TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C), apolipoprotein A-I, IL-6, TNF-α, HOMA-IR index, and cIMT. These correlations were not found between changes in anti-CCP3 levels compared to clinical, laboratory, and radiological variables. Anti-MCV was as sensitive as anti-CCP3 in diagnosing early RA. Anti-MCV testing appears to be useful for monitoring associated subclinical atherosclerosis in early RA.

Increased serum PAD4 and RF in lung cancer is not associated with anti CCP antibody production

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs), produced against citrullinated proteins. In the pathogenesis of the disease the interaction of environment and genetics have a role as...