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Post-translational modifications in rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis: Focus on citrullination and

Francesca Romana Spinelli1, Arbi Pecani2, Fabrizio Conti2

  • 1Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy francescaromana.spinelli@uniroma1.it.

The Journal of International Medical Research
|September 30, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients face high mortality from heart disease due to accelerated atherosclerosis. Immune responses to citrullinated and carbamylated proteins link RA and cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is linked to accelerated atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
  • Inflammation and immune responses are implicated in both RA pathogenesis and atherosclerosis.
  • The immune response to citrullinated peptides is key in RA diagnosis, but its role in atherosclerosis is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of citrullination and carbamylation in the pathogenesis of RA and atherosclerosis.
  • To explore the similarities between RA and atherosclerosis regarding immune responses to post-translationally modified proteins.
  • To highlight potential links between immune responses to modified proteins and CVD in RA patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on post-translational protein modifications (citrullination, carbamylation).
  • Analysis of studies investigating immune responses to citrullinated peptides and carbamylated proteins in RA and CVD.
  • Synthesis of evidence connecting these modifications to the pathogenesis of both diseases.

Main Results:

  • Antibodies to citrullinated peptides are diagnostic for RA and may influence atherosclerosis.
  • Antibodies to carbamylated proteins can precede RA onset and are found in cardiovascular disease.
  • Carbamylation of lipoproteins is observed in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Conclusions:

  • Citrullination and carbamylation are post-translational modifications involved in both RA and atherosclerosis.
  • Shared immune responses to these modified proteins may explain the increased cardiovascular risk in RA patients.
  • Further research into immune responses to modified proteins could improve understanding and management of CVD in RA.

Keywords:
Atherosclerosiscarbamylationcitrullinationpost-translational modificationsrheumatoid arthritis

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