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Raised circulating tenascin-C in rheumatoid arthritis
Arthritis Research & Therapy
|December 1, 2012
Summary
Circulating tenascin-C (TNC) is elevated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory diseases. Higher TNC levels in RA may indicate bone erosion and predict response to infliximab treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Tenascin-C (TNC) is a pro-inflammatory glycoprotein.
- Elevated TNC levels are investigated in musculoskeletal disorders, specifically rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- The study assesses TNC levels in relation to RA disease status and treatment response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if circulating TNC levels are elevated in RA and other inflammatory conditions.
- To correlate TNC levels with clinical disease status in RA patients.
- To evaluate TNC levels as a predictor of treatment response in RA.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of TNC in serum/plasma using ELISA.
- Analysis of samples from four RA patient cohorts.
- Comparison with healthy individuals and patients with other inflammatory diseases.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated TNC levels were found in RA, systemic lupus erythematosus, idiopathic inflammatory myositis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
- Highest TNC levels were observed in late-stage RA patients.
- In early RA, TNC correlated with ultrasound-detected erosion scores and showed varied responses to infliximab plus methotrexate versus methotrexate alone.
Conclusions:
- Circulating TNC is elevated in specific inflammatory diseases, notably RA.
- TNC may serve as a biomarker for bone erosion in RA.
- Baseline TNC levels can predict the efficacy of infliximab in reducing joint pain in RA patients.
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