Decrease in 14-3-3η protein levels is correlated with improvement in disease activity in patients with rheumatoid...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Biomarkers
• Immunology

Background:

• 14-3-3η protein is a proinflammatory mediator implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
• Its potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in RA warrants investigation.
• Tofacitinib (TOF) is a targeted therapy for RA, but objective monitoring of treatment response can be challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the correlation between changes in serum 14-3-3η levels and clinical disease activity measures in RA patients treated with TOF.
• To determine if 14-3-3η can serve as a biomarker for monitoring TOF therapy response.

Main Methods:

• Paired serum samples from 35 RA patients were analyzed at baseline and 5 months after initiating TOF treatment.
• Serum 14-3-3η levels were measured using ELISA.
• Clinical disease activity was assessed using CDAI, SDAI, DAS4ESR, and DAS4CRP.

Main Results:

• 14-3-3η positivity decreased from 57% at baseline to 37% after 5 months of TOF treatment.
• Mean serum 14-3-3η levels significantly decreased post-treatment (p < 0.005).
• Decreased 14-3-3η levels showed significant correlations with improvements in DAS4ESR (r=0.50, p<0.01) and DAS4CRP (r=0.46, p<0.01), and moderate correlations with CDAI and SDAI improvements.

Conclusions:

• A decrease in serum 14-3-3η protein levels is significantly correlated with clinical disease activity improvement in RA patients treated with TOF.
• 14-3-3η protein may serve as an objective biomarker for monitoring the response to TOF therapy in RA.