Pathobiochemical Mechanisms Relating Iron Homeostasis with Parameters of Inflammatory Activity and Autoimmune...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Immunology
• Hematology

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation.
• Iron homeostasis is often disrupted in RA, influenced by inflammation and autoimmune processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlations between iron homeostasis parameters, inflammatory markers, and autoimmune disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.
• To identify key biomarkers for assessing iron status and inflammation in RA.

Main Methods:

• Study included 114 RA patients and 42 healthy controls.
• Measured serum iron, TIBC, ferritin, sTfR, CRP, IL-6, prohepcidin, RF, anti-CCP antibodies, and DAS 28.

Main Results:

• RA patients showed higher sTfR, CRP, IL-6, prohepcidin, and lower serum iron compared to controls.
• sTfR positively correlated with inflammatory markers (IL-6, prohepcidin, ESR) and autoimmune parameters (DAS 28, RF, anti-CCP) in RA.
• Prohepcidin positively correlated with inflammation (CRP, ESR) and autoimmune parameters (DAS 28, RF) in RA.

Conclusions:

• Simultaneous measurement of sTfR and prohepcidin is highly informative for evaluating iron homeostasis changes in RA.
• Increased sTfR and prohepcidin suggest inflammation-induced tissue iron deficiency in RA patients.