Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026

An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 in rheumatoid arthritis
Ivan Ferraz-Amaro1, Raquel López-Mejías2, Begoña Ubilla2
1Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain.
Objectives:
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease that regulates cholesterol metabolism through low-density lipoprotein receptor degradation and that has been linked with cardiovascular risk. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether PCSK9 levels are related to both abnormalities in the lipid profile and the severe atherosclerosis that occur in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study that encompassed 520 individuals; 326 patients with RA and 194 age- and sex-matched controls. PCSK9 and lipoproteins serum concentrations, standard lipid profile and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaques were assessed in patients and controls. A multivariable analysis, adjusted for standard cardiovascular risk factors, was performed to evaluate the influence of PCSK9 on RA related dyslipidaemia and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.
Results:
After adjusting for classical cardiovascular risk factors, lipid profile and statins, RA patients showed lower PCSK9 serum concentrations than controls (beta coefficient -45 95%CI [-53, -38] ng/ml, p=0.00). PCSK9 was associated with both cIMT and the presence of carotid plaques in RA patients. However, this association was lost after adjusting for classical cardiovascular risk factors.
Conclusions:
PCSK9 is down-regulated in patients with RA.
More Related Videos
11:52Differentiation of Functional Osteoclasts from Human Peripheral Blood CD14+ Monocytes
Published on: January 27, 2023
11:03A Cryo-pulverization Protocol for Processing Mouse Paws to Evaluate Molecular Pathways of Tissue Inflammation in a Collagen Induced Arthritis Model
Published on: October 30, 2019
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM
CRISPR