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Autoantibodies in inflammatory arthritis
P Conigliaro1, M S Chimenti1, P Triggianese1
1Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of "Medicina dei Sistemi", University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy; Reumatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Specialità Mediche, Sapienza Università di Roma, viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Autoimmunity Reviews
|March 13, 2016
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with specific autoantibodies like anti-citrullinated antibodies (ACPA). New research identifies anti-CarP antibodies as potential biomarkers for early RA detection and monitoring disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease causing joint destruction due to synovitis.
- Autoimmunity in RA involves a loss of immunological tolerance, influenced by genetics (HLA/non-HLA haplotypes) and environmental factors (tobacco, silica).
- Key serological markers for RA include rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated antibodies (ACPA), with ACPA presence indicating an independent risk for RA development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of various autoantibodies, particularly anti-CarP antibodies, as potential biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
- To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of autoantibodies in early RA detection, disease progression, and therapy response.
- To differentiate RA from PsA based on autoantibody profiles.
Main Methods:
- Review and analysis of existing literature on autoantibodies in RA and PsA.
- Identification and characterization of autoantibodies targeting post-translationally modified proteins.
- Comparative analysis of autoantibody prevalence in RA, PsA, and individuals with undifferentiated arthritis or arthralgia.
Main Results:
- ACPA and RF are established serological markers for RA, with increasing titers during the preclinical phase.
- ACPA presence is a significant risk factor for RA in patients with undifferentiated arthritis or arthralgia.
- Anti-CarP antibodies have been detected in RA patients and even before clinical symptoms, and recently in PsA patients with active disease.
Conclusions:
- Autoantibodies, especially ACPA and anti-CarP, are crucial for early RA diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring treatment efficacy.
- Anti-CarP antibodies show promise as sensitive and specific biomarkers for inflammatory arthritides, including RA and potentially PsA.
- Further research is needed to validate autoantibodies for improved management of inflammatory arthritis.
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