Fast diagnostic test for familial Mediterranean fever based on a kinase inhibitor

Flora Magnotti1, Tiphaine Malsot1, Sophie Georgin-Lavialle2,3

  • 1Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard-Lyon 1, CNRS, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France.

Abstract

Insights

A new test using UCN-01 reliably distinguishes Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients from healthy individuals and those with other inflammatory conditions. This inflammasome activation assay offers a rapid and accurate diagnostic method for FMF.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is the most common hereditary autoinflammatory disease.
  • Diagnosis typically requires clinical criteria and genetic confirmation of pathogenic *MEFV* variants.
  • Pyrin, encoded by *MEFV*, is an inflammasome sensor; its dephosphorylation activates the inflammasome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate if quantifying UCN-01-mediated inflammasome activation can differentiate FMF patients from healthy donors (HD) and patients with other inflammatory disorders (OID).

Main Methods:

  • Monocytes from FMF patients (n=67), HD (n=71), and OID patients (n=40) were analyzed for real-time pyroptosis and IL-1β secretion upon UCN-01 stimulation.
  • Diagnostic test sensitivity and specificity were assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analyses.

Main Results:

  • UCN-01-induced inflammasome activation effectively discriminated FMF patients from other groups.
  • Pyroptosis assessment enabled rapid FMF diagnosis.
  • Combining pyroptosis and IL-1β measurements yielded highly sensitive and specific UCN-01-based assays.
  • Monocyte responses correlated with *MEFV* gene dosage and mutation status, mirroring clinical phenotypes.

Conclusions:

  • UCN-01-based inflammasome activation assays provide a sensitive and specific method for the rapid diagnosis of FMF.