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Citrullinated collagens in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

Juha Risteli1, Marja-Kaisa Koivula, Leila Risteli

  • 1University of Oulu, Department of Clinical Chemistry, PL 5000, FI-90014 Oulun yliopisto, Finland. juha.risteli@oulu.fi

Expert Review of Clinical Immunology
|May 19, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Citrullination, the modification of proteins, is linked to rheumatoid arthritis. Autoantibodies to citrullinated collagen, a key extracellular matrix protein, are found in early rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Citrullination is an enzymatic post-translational modification of arginine residues.
  • Autoantibodies to citrullinated peptides are specific biomarkers for early rheumatoid arthritis.
  • The role of citrullination in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis, particularly in cartilage and bone damage, remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the occurrence of citrulline in fibrillar collagens.
  • To explore the significance of autoantibodies targeting citrullinated collagens in rheumatoid arthritis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on citrullination, collagen, and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Analysis of existing research on citrullinated extracellular matrix proteins.

Main Results:

  • Fibrillar collagens, including Type I and Type II collagen, can be enzymatically citrullinated.
  • Synthetic citrullinated collagen peptides can serve as antigens.
  • Autoantibodies against citrullinated collagen forms are present in early rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Conclusions:

  • Citrullination of fibrillar collagens is a significant factor in rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Autoantibodies to citrullinated collagens may contribute to the disease's joint manifestations.
  • Further research into citrullinated collagen's role is crucial for understanding rheumatoid arthritis.

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