Serum Anti-Aminoacyl-Transfer Ribonucleic Acid Synthetase Antibody Levels Are Involved in Rheumatoid Arthritis...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Pulmonology
• Immunology

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently leads to interstitial lung disease (ILD).
• Anti-aminoacyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase (ARS) antibodies are associated with ILD in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.
• Limited research exists on anti-ARS antibodies in RA-ILD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and significance of anti-ARS antibodies in RA patients with ILD.
• To determine if anti-ARS antibodies can serve as a biomarker for ILD in RA.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from RA patients were analyzed for anti-ARS antibodies.
• Statistical analyses, including receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression, were employed.
• An ARS-index was developed using logistic regression incorporating age, smoking status, anti-ARS antibodies, and Steinbrocker stage.

Main Results:

• RA patients with ILD exhibited significantly higher anti-ARS antibody levels compared to those without chronic lung disease.
• The area under the curve (AUC) for anti-ARS antibodies alone was insufficient for discriminating between RA patients with or without chronic lung disease.
• The developed ARS-index demonstrated a high AUC, indicating strong discriminatory power for ILD in RA patients.

Conclusions:

• Anti-ARS antibodies are implicated in the pathogenesis of ILD in RA.
• Anti-ARS antibodies show potential as a biomarker for identifying ILD in rheumatoid arthritis patients.