Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
04:50

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain

Published on: May 16, 2025

294

Correlation of serum citrullinated histone H3 levels with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Wanchan Peng1, Siyu Wu1, Wei Wang2

  • 1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|February 24, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Serum citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) is a promising biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity. Elevated CitH3 levels correlate with RA activity, aiding in patient assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Rheumatology
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation and potential systemic complications.
  • Accurate assessment of RA disease activity is crucial for effective treatment and patient management.
  • Novel biomarkers are needed to improve the monitoring of RA progression and treatment response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate serum citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
  • To explore the association between CitH3 levels and various disease activity parameters in RA.
  • To evaluate the potential of CitH3 as a biomarker for RA disease activity assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Serum CitH3 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 151 RA patients across different disease activity states and 56 healthy controls.
  • Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to determine the discriminant capacity of CitH3.
  • Machine learning algorithms were utilized to develop a predictive model for RA disease activity.

Main Results:

  • Serum CitH3 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with highly and moderately active RA compared to those with mild activity or in remission.
  • ROC analysis demonstrated good discriminatory power of CitH3 for differentiating RA disease activity levels.
  • CitH3 levels showed positive correlations with established RA activity markers like DAS28-ESR, ESR, CRP, RF, and routine blood parameters (WBC, RDW, PLT, N, N%).
  • Negative associations were observed between CitH3 and hemoglobin, lymphocyte percentage, and TSH.
  • The developed machine learning model exhibited high predictive performance.

Conclusions:

  • Serum CitH3 is significantly associated with rheumatoid arthritis disease activity.
  • CitH3 demonstrates potential as a valuable candidate biomarker for assessing disease activity in RA patients.
  • Further validation may establish CitH3 as a routine clinical tool for RA management.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Implementation of BIVA for Analyzing Disease Risk Factors in Patients with Low Body Cell Mass07:44

Author Spotlight: Implementation of BIVA for Analyzing Disease Risk Factors in Patients with Low Body Cell Mass

Published on: July 14, 2023

1.2K
Evaluation of a Reliable Biomarker in a Cecal Ligation and Puncture-Induced Mouse Model of Sepsis05:28

Evaluation of a Reliable Biomarker in a Cecal Ligation and Puncture-Induced Mouse Model of Sepsis

Published on: December 9, 2022

3.6K

Related Concept Videos

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
43
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
134
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
1.2K
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
25
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
9.1K
Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management01:20

Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management

AssessmentA comprehensive assessment is essential in managing a patient with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Begin with obtaining a detailed medical history, including recent streptococcal infections, a history of rheumatic fever, or previously diagnosed rheumatic heart disease. Assess the patient for symptoms such as fever, chest pain, widespread joint pain (arthralgia), tachycardia, pericardial friction rub, muffled heart sounds, heart murmurs, peripheral edema, subcutaneous nodules, and...
29