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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
15286393 Proteoglycan aggrecan-induced arthritis: a murine autoimmune model of rheumatoid arthritis 2004 This chapter describes the major principals, methods, and immunization protocols for the induction of a systemic autoimmune arthritis in genetically susceptible murine strains. The model is called proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA) because the antigenic/arthritogenic material is isolated from cartilage. This autoimmune systemic disease is induced by intraperitoneal immunization of either BALB/c or certain C3H colonies with cartilage proteoglycan, an abundant component in articular cartilage. The chapter presents (a) methodological details on how to purify cartilage proteoglycan aggrecan by cesium chloride gradient centrifugation; (b) substitution of this highly purified antigenic/arthritogenic material with a crude cartilage extract obtained from knee joint cartilages removed during joint replacement surgery; and (c) substitution of human cartilage proteoglycan with pig, dog, sheep, or bovine cartilage proteoglycans for arthritis induction. The cartilage proteoglycan aggrecan requires partial deglycosylation, and necessary materials, methods, and protocols are described. In addition, basic methods for measuring antigen-specific T-cell-dependent immune responses, antibody production, serum cytokine levels, and alternative solutions for adoptive transfers are also described.
12766606 188Re-tin-colloid as a new therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis. 2003 Jun Radiation synovectomy is a useful treatment modality in patients with refractory synovitis. We have developed a 188Re-tin-colloid as a new radiopharmaceutical agent and investigated its efficacy and safety in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Radiation synovectomy was performed using 188Re-tin-colloid in 22 knees from 21 rheumatoid arthritis patients refractory to intra-articular corticosteroid injection. The efficacy and safety of administration of 370-1110 MBq of 188Re-tin-colloid were evaluated after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Pain intensity on a visual analogue scale decreased significantly 12 months after therapy (mean+/-SD: 68.0+/-26.1 mm vs. 25.1+/-23.4 mm; P=0.0001 by the paired t-test). Pain decreased in 19 cases (86.3%), joint tenderness improved in 14 cases (63.6%) and joint swelling was reduced in all cases (100%). 188Re-tin-colloid was safe. The residual activity of 188Re in the blood was 0.077%+/-0.25% of the injected dose. The radioactivity of 188Re in the urine was 0.14%+/-0.13% of the injected dose. Transient reactive synovitis was observed in 18 cases (81.8%). No clinical side-effects or abnormalities in leucocyte count, platelet count, liver function tests or urine analysis were observed in any patient. In conclusion, in this first study of radiation synovectomy using 188Re-tin-colloid for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the treatment resulted in the improvement of arthritis and was well tolerated.
14979059 [Current conception of rheumatoid polyarthritis treatment: towards a therapeutic revolutio 2003 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a frequent, heterogenous crippling disease. The diagnosis must be made as soon as possible in order to begin quickly the treatment. The improvement of our knowledge in the immunopathology of RA allowed the development of new biotherapies directed against harmful mediators such as TNF alpha and Interleukin 1. With anti-TNF alpha agents excellent clinical and biological results are observed in methotrexate refractory RA patients in 70% of cases. Moreover these drugs are able to stop the X ray evolution of the disease. They can be considered as a very important new step in the treatment of RA. Other targeted drugs such as anti-IL1, anti-IL6 agents, anti-B lymphocytes monoclonal antibody (Rituximab), CTL4 IgG are already used or under study. In this paper the modern treatment of RA is reviewed with a special emphasis on anti-TNF alpha and anti-IL1 biotherapies.
14500588 HPLC determination of erythrocyte methotrexate polyglutamates after low-dose methotrexate 2003 Oct BACKGROUND: Methotrexate (MTX) may produce antiarthritic effects through polyglutamation to methotrexate polyglutamates (MTXPGs), a process that covalently attaches sequential gamma-linked glutamic residues to MTX. We sought to develop an innovative HPLC method for the quantification of these metabolites in erythrocytes. METHODS: Two alternative approaches were developed. In the first approach, MTXPGs from 50 micro L of packed erythrocytes were converted to MTX in the presence of plasma gamma-glutamyl hydrolase and mercaptoethanol at 37 degrees C. In the second approach, MTXPG species (up to the hepta order of glutamation) from 100 micro L packed erythrocytes were directly quantified in a single run. In both methods, the MTXPGs were extracted from the biological matrix by a simple perchloric acid deproteinization step with direct injection of the extract into the HPLC. The chromatography used a C(18) reversed-phase column, an ammonium acetate/acetonitrile buffer, and postcolumn photo-oxidation of MTXPGs to fluorescent analytes. RESULTS: Intra- and interday imprecision (CVs) were <10% at low and high concentrations of analytes for both methods. The limit of quantification was 5 nmol/L. In 70 patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving weekly low-dose MTX, the mean (SD) total MTXPG concentration measured after conversion of MTXPGs to MTX was similar to the total MTXPG concentration calculated from the sum of individual MTXPG species [117 (56) vs 120 (59) nmol/L; r = 0.97; slope = 1.0]. The triglutamate predominated over all other MTXPG species (36% of total), the pentaglutamate was the highest order of glutamation detected, and a stability study revealed no change in the polyglutamation pattern in erythrocytes 48 h after phlebotomy when the specimen was stored at 2-8 degrees C. CONCLUSION: The proposed method for quantification of erythrocyte MTXPGs is rapid, sensitive, and accurate and can be applied to the routine monitoring of MTX therapy.
12966589 The presence of parvovirus B19 VP and NS1 genes in the synovium is not correlated with rhe 2003 Sep OBJECTIVE: To amplify both NS1 and VP genes of Parvovirus B19 DNA in synovial membrane (SM) and serum obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to analyze whether the presence of viral DNA is correlated with synovitis. METHODS: DNA obtained from 30 SM and 24 serum samples from RA patients was analyzed using single round-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR for both VP and NS1 genes of parvovirus B19. Twenty-four SM and serum samples from sex and age matched subjects with osteoarthritis (OA) or joint trauma served as controls. RESULTS: The first round PCR was negative for NS1 in RA samples. After nested PCR, NS1 was detected in the SM of 6/30 patients and of 10/24 controls and in the serum of 4/24 patients and controls. Nested PCR for the VP gene detected viral DNA in the SM of 7/30 patients with RA and of 7/24 of the controls and in the serum of 5/24 patients and of 2/24 controls. Altogether parvovirus DNA was found in the SM of 11/30 (36.6%) patients and of 12/24 (50%) controls and in the serum of 8/24 (33.3%) patients with RA and of 5/24 (20.8%) controls. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the amplification by nested PCR of both NS1 and VP genes is necessary to define the presence of viral DNA in tissue samples and confirm that the presence of parvovirus B19 DNA is similar in RA and control SM, suggesting that simple detection of viral DNA is not sufficient to confirm a link between the virus and RA.
15084913 Role of major histocompatibility complex genes in murine collagen-induced arthritis: a mod 2004 Apr Collagen-induced arthritis is an animal model for rheumatoid arthritis that shares a number of clinical, hematologic, serologic, and radiographic features with human disease. Predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis has been associated with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes, HLA-DRB*0401/DQB1*0302 and resistance to DRB1*0402 and DQ6 genes. Animal models allow one to study the genetics and immunologic processes of individual genes involved in the complex human diseases. To study the interactions between class II molecules and to define their role in arthritis, the authors generated HLA-DR and -DQ transgenic mice. HLA transgenes are expressed on cell surface and can positively select CD4 cells. A peripheral tolerance is maintained to the trans-genes even though an efficient T cell response to immunodominant antigens similar to human T cells is observed. Using HLA-DQ/DR double transgenic mice, the studies show that complementation between DQ and DR molecules contributes to predisposition to and severity of, or protection from, arthritis. Thus, these mice provide a powerful tool to understand the role of HLA molecules in the predisposition to and immunotherapy for human disease.
12856149 Fatal, gold-induced pneumonitis. 2003 Jul We report in detail an experience with irreversible interstitial pneumonitis developed during gold sodium thiomalate therapy. Factors that could influence the unfavourable course of this adverse, usually reversible pharmacological reaction, are analysed, and the importance of early recognition and prompt discontinuation of the drug is emphasised.
11920398 Whole-genome linkage analysis of rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility loci in 252 affected 2002 Mar OBJECTIVE: To undertake a systematic whole-genome screen to identify regions exhibiting genetic linkage to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Two hundred fifty-two RA-affected sibling pairs from 182 UK families were genotyped using 365 highly informative microsatellite markers. Microsatellite genotyping was performed using fluorescent polymerase chain reaction primers and semiautomated DNA sequencing technology. Linkage analysis was undertaken using MAPMAKER/SIBS for single-point and multipoint analysis. RESULTS: Significant linkage (maximum logarithm of odds score 4.7 [P = 0.000003] at marker D6S276, 1 cM from HLA-DRB1) was identified around the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region on chromosome 6. Suggestive linkage (P < 7.4 x 10(-4)) was identified on chromosome 6q by single- and multipoint analysis. Ten other sites of nominal linkage (P < 0.05) were identified on chromosomes 3p, 4q, 7p, 2 regions of 10q, 2 regions of 14q, 16p, 21q, and Xq by single-point analysis and on 3 sites (1q, 14q, and 14q) by multipoint analysis. CONCLUSION: Linkage to the MHC region was confirmed. Eleven non-HLA regions demonstrated evidence of suggestive or nominal linkage, but none reached the genome-wide threshold for significant linkage (P = 2.2 x 10(-5)). Results of previous genome screens have suggested that 6 of these regions may be involved in RA susceptibility.
15002348 [Deformities of the forefoot in patients with rheumatoid arthritis--results of surgical tr 2003 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Rheumatoid arthritis affects the foot very frequently. The transversal arch of the foot gradually declines due to the inflammation, the metatarsal heads protrude in the sole of the foot which is accompanied by painful bunions and sometimes also skin necrosis. The great toe turns into a valgus position and pronation. Walking is very painful. MATERIAL: The authors evaluate a group of patients operated on for the deformities of the forefoot between 1995 and 2002. METHODS: In the deformities of the forefoot the authors use resection of the heads of II-V metatarsals. They use a plantar surgical approach during which they remove bunions under the heads of the metatarsals. Then they gradually perform resection of the heads of--V metatarsals. In case of the great toe they prefer resection after Keller. In 5 cases they used fusion of the MTP joint of the great toe. They use fusion only in cases of a marked valgus position of the great toe. Where I MTT was in a significantly varus position, they applied in 3 cases the Lapidus procedure. RESULTS: Between 1995 and 2002 they operated on 92 patients, in 38 of them the surgery was performed bilaterally. Evaluation covered 130 surgeries. In 85 cases the patients had rheumatoid arthritis, in 7 the basic diagnosis was psoriatic arthritis. The group included 72 women and 20 men. The average age at the time of surgery was 38.4 years. Eighty-two (63.1%) patients were without pain 7 (5.4%) patients had severe pain. The authors monitored the occurrence of revalgization of the great toe after Keller resection arthroplasty--of 77 patients revalgization occurred in 23 cases (29.8%). The complications included 3 times a late infect 1-2 years after the surgery after the protrated infect of the organs, 3 times a skin necrosis between the great toe and 2nd metatarsal, when prior to the surgery there was a significant valgus deformity and after the correction of the great toe there was a skin tension in this region, 6 times a delayed healing of the wound on the sole of the foot. DISCUSSION: The authors present different surgical techniques of the forefoot and the great toe of the foot used by different authors. CONCLUSION: As the patients suffer from a polyarticular affection the emphasis is put on the individual approach and a properly timed operation. In this respect of vital importance is the cooperation involving a rheumatologist, orthopaedic surgeon, physical therapist and prosthetic department. Orthopaedic insoles and orthopaedic shoes are an integral part of the comprehensive therapy. Surgical treatment is not very demanding for patients and in most cases it brings a significant relief.
15025424 Synovial concentrations of the angiogenic peptides bFGF and VEGF do not discriminate rheum 2004 OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in aspirated synovial fluid can be used to distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other forms of inflammatory arthritis. METHODS: bFGF and VEGF concentrations were measured in aspirated synovial fluid and serum samples from 66 patients with active arthritis (clinical diagnoses: rheumatoid arthritis (35 patients), psoriatic arthritis (9), reactive arthritis (11) and arthritis UNS (11)) utilizing commercial ELISA kits. RESULTS: In comparison with controls, elevated concentrations of VEGF were found in synovial fluid compared with in serum in all forms of arthritis. There were no significant differences in synovial fluid bFGF or VEGF concentrations between rheumatoid arthritis and the other forms of inflammatory arthritis. CONCLUSION: Both serum bFGF and VEGF concentrations were increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients treated with steroids had lower synovial fluid bFGF concentrations. Synovial fluid levels of bFGF and VEGF were elevated but could not be used to distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other forms of inflammatory arthritis.
12535423 Leflunomide for treating rheumatoid arthritis. 2003 BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease. Leflunomide, as an inhibitor of pyrimidine synthesis, has a different mechanism of action than other existing disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD). OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and toxicity of leflunomide compared to placebo or other DMARDs in the treatment of RA. SEARCH STRATEGY: We conducted a search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Current Contents and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register for trials up to December 2001. We also hand-searched reference lists and consulted content experts. SELECTION CRITERIA: Two independent reviewers selected the trials that met predetermined inclusion criteria. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed methodologic quality using standardized forms. MAIN RESULTS: Six trials were included in this review. Using the ACR20 improvement criteria, there was an absolute difference in improvement of 28% (95% confidence interval: 21 - 35%) favouring leflunomide (232 out of 413 leflunomide treated patients compared to 89 out of 311 placebo patients met the criteria). There was no difference in ACR20 response rate between the patients treated with leflunomide and SSZ or MTX at 6 and 12 months. Other clinical outcomes were improved significantly in the leflunomide group compared to placebo but not different from SSZ or MTX. Withdrawals due to adverse events with leflunomide were 10% greater than placebo (70 out of 416 compared to 18 out of 311 respectively). Important adverse events included gastrointestinal symptoms, elevated liver function tests, alopecia, and infections. Overall adverse events and withdrawals in the leflunomide group were not significantly different from SSZ or MTX. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Leflunomide appears to improve all clinical outcomes and delay radiologic progression at both 6 and 12 months of treatment compared to placebo. Its efficacy and adverse events at 2 years of treatment are comparable to SSZ and MTX. Long-term efficacy and toxicity remains to be established.
12794822 Selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2-generated prostaglandin E2 synthesis in rheumatoi 2003 Jun OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of taurine chloramine (Tau-Cl), a chlorinated derivative of the amino acid taurine, on the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) isoenzymes and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) synthesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). METHODS: FLS, isolated from the synovial tissue of RA patients, were treated in vitro with either interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta; 1 ng/ml) alone or together with 200-500 microM Tau-Cl. The expression of COX isoenzymes was evaluated at both the protein (Western blotting) and the messenger RNA (mRNA) (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) levels. The concentration of PGE(2) was measured by competitive acetylcholinesterase enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Resting FLS expressed mRNA encoding both COX-1 and COX-2, but only COX-1 was present at the protein level. These cells produced negligible amounts of PGE(2). Upon stimulation with IL-1beta, elevation of COX-2, but not COX-1, mRNA and protein preceded the enhancement of PGE(2) synthesis. In the presence of 300-400 microM Tau-Cl, significant inhibition of IL-1beta-triggered COX-2 mRNA and protein, and a related decrease in PGE(2) production, was observed. In contrast, no significant changes in COX-1 mRNA and protein levels were noted. CONCLUSION: Tau-Cl inhibits IL-1beta-triggered elevation of COX-2 and generation of PGE(2) by RA FLS. These results expand the spectrum of known antiinflammatory activities of this compound.
12723986 Functional analysis of an arthritogenic synovial fibroblast. 2003 Increasing attention has been directed towards identifying non-T-cell mechanisms as potential therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis. Synovial fibroblast (SF) activation, a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis, results in inappropriate production of chemokines and matrix components, which in turn lead to bone and cartilage destruction. We have demonstrated that SFs have an autonomous pathogenic role in the development of the disease, by showing that they have the capacity to migrate throughout the body and cause pathology specifically to the joints. In order to decipher the pathogenic mechanisms that govern SF activation and pathogenic potential, we used the two most prominent methods of differential gene expression analysis, differential display and DNA microarrays, in a search for deregulated cellular pathways in the arthritogenic SF. Functional clustering of differentially expressed genes, validated by dedicated in vitro functional assays, implicated a number of cellular pathways in SF activation. Among them, diminished adhesion to the extracellular matrix was shown to correlate with increased proliferation and migration to this matrix. Our findings support an aggressive role for the SF in the development of the disease and reinforce the perspective of a transformed-like character of the SF.
12915205 Immunosenescence, autoimmunity, and rheumatoid arthritis. 2003 Aug Current disease models of autoimmune syndromes, such as rheumatoid arthritis, propose that chronic inflammation is caused by 'forbidden T-cell clones' that recognize disease-inducing antigens and drive tissue-injurious immune reactions. Reappraisal of disease incidence data, however, emphasizes that rheumatoid arthritis is a syndrome of the elderly that occurs with highest likelihood in individuals in whom the processes of T-cell generation and T-cell repertoire formation are compromised. Thymic T-cell production declines rapidly with advancing age. Multiple mechanisms, including antigen-driven clonal expansion and homeostasis-driven autoproliferation of post-thymic T cells, impose replicative stress on T cells and induce the biological program of cellular senescence. T-cell immunosenescence is associated with profound changes in T-cell functional profile and leads to accumulation of CD4+ T cells that have lost CD28 but have gained killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and cytolytic capability and produce large amounts of interferon-gamma. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, T-cell immunosenescence occurs prematurely, probably due to a deficiency in the ability to generate sufficient numbers of novel T cells. We propose that autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis is a consequence of immunodegeneration that is associated with age-inappropriate remodeling of the T-cell pool.
14970400 Clinical utility of anti-CCP antibodies in the differential diagnosis of elderly-onset rhe 2004 May BACKGROUND: In a significant number of patients the differential diagnosis between elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is very difficult because of the lack of specific serum markers. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP Abs) have recently been shown to be highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is the first study addressing the utility of these antibodies in the differential diagnosis between EORA and PMR. METHODS: Serum samples from 57 EORA patients and 49 PMR patients were studied for the presence of anti-CCP Abs and rheumatoid factor (RF). As controls, samples from 41 RA patients (age at onset <60 yr) and 24 aged healthy subjects were analysed. RESULTS: Sixty-five per cent of EORA patients had anti-CCP Abs, whereas none of the PMR patients or the aged healthy subjects was positive for those antibodies. Ten of the EORA patients started with polymyalgic symptoms and two of them were positive for anti-CCP Abs. Interestingly, there was a significant correlation between anti-CCP Abs and RF in EORA but not in young RA patients. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of anti-CCP Abs in a patient with clinical symptoms of PMR must be interpreted as highly suggestive of EORA.
11824977 High prevalence of autoantibodies against the nuclear high mobility group (HMG) protein SS 2002 Jan OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of autoantibodies to the high mobility group (HMG) structure specific recognition protein I (SSRP1) in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other rheumatic diseases. METHODS: Antibodies to SSRP1(anti-SSRP1) were measured in sera from patients with SLE, Sjogren's syndrome (SS), ulcerative colitis (UC), systemic sclerosis (SSc), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and sera from healthy individuals by both an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and Western blotting (WB) using the recombinant SSRP1 N-terminus as antigen. RESULTS: We found 28.8% of the sera from patients with SLE contained anti-SSRPI by both ELISA and WB assay, compared to 8.3% of the sera from healthy individuals. When the 40 sera from patients with other autoimmune diseases were tested, only 2 sera (5%) from individuals with SS showed a moderate reactivity to SSRPI in both ELISA and WB assays. CONCLUSION: The results show that anti-SSRPI can be identified in sera from patients with SLE, but not with other rheumatic diseases and may thus help the diagnosis of SLE in the presence of appropriate clinical findings.
12513005 Anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy for severe inflammatory arthritis: two years of experi 2002 Nov Etanercept and infliximab are novel biological agents targeted against tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), a key cytokine in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We report the results of their use over a two year period in 94 patients with severe inflammatory arthritis. Eighty-eight adults with active inflammatory arthritis (82 with RA), unresponsive to all conventional treatment, received biological therapy in one of five specialist centres in Northern Ireland. 69 adult patients (78%) had a good response to treatment, four a partial response, and seven no response. The results of treatment could not be assessed in eight patients because they had only recently commenced therapy. Four patients had a mild allergic reaction to treatment but one patient developed fulminant lung fibrosis which may have been due to drug therapy and eventually proved fatal. There were four cases of major infection requiring hospitalisation. Two patients responded to treatment, but one succumbed to bacterial pneumonia, and another to bacterial meningitis. Six children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) received etanercept. Four achieved a good response, one a partial response, and one no response to treatment. This study shows that the impressive response to anti-TNF therapies extends beyond the realm of clinical trials to everyday clinical practice. These agents represent a major advance in the treatment of severe inflammatory arthritis but they should be used with caution, particularly in the elderly and in patients who are predisposed to infection.
12687537 Interobserver agreement in ultrasonography of the finger and toe joints in rheumatoid arth 2003 Apr OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the interobserver agreement of ultrasonographic assessment of finger and toe joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by 2 investigators with different medical backgrounds. METHODS: Ultrasonography and clinical examination were performed on 150 small joints of 30 patients with active RA. A General Electric LOGIQ 500 ultrasound unit with a 7-13-MHz linear array transducer was used. In each patient, 5 preselected small joints (second and third metacarpophalangeal, second proximal interphalangeal, first and second metatarsophalangeal) were examined independently on the same day by 2 ultrasound investigators (an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist and a rheumatologist with limited ultrasound training). Joint effusion, synovial thickening, bone erosions, and power Doppler signal were evaluated in accordance with an introduced 4-grade semiquantitative scoring system, on which the investigators had reached consensus prior to the study. RESULTS: Exact agreement between the 2 observers was seen in 91% of the examinations with regard to bone erosions, in 86% with regard to synovitis, in 79% with regard to joint effusions, and in 87% with regard to power Doppler signal assessments. Corresponding intraclass correlation coefficient values were 0.78, 0.81, 0.61, and 0.72, respectively, while unweighted kappa values were 0.68, 0.63, 0.48, and 0.55, respectively. Ultrasonography showed signs of inflammation in 94 joints, while clinical assessment revealed tenderness and/or swelling in 64 joints. CONCLUSION: An experienced radiologist and a rheumatologist with limited ultrasound training achieved high interobserver agreement rates for the identification of synovitis and bone erosions, using an introduced semiquantitative scoring system for ultrasonography of finger and toe joints in RA. Signs of inflammation were more frequently detected with ultrasound than with clinical examination. Ultrasonography may improve the assessment of RA patients by radiologists and rheumatologists.
12447636 Autoantibodies against cytoskeletal proteins in rheumatoid arthritis. 2002 Nov We determined the prevalence and antigenic specificity of autoantibodies against cytoskeletal proteins in patients affected with various autoimmune diseases. Sera collected from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus or progressive systemic sclerosis, and normal volunteers, were examined for the presence of autoantibodies against cytoskeletal proteins by indirect immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had the highest reactivity to cytoskeletal antigens on immunofluorescence assays using isolated muscle myofibrils (41/50) and L929 cells (37/50). Antigen-specific ELISA revealed significant immunoreactivity against actin (11/50) and myosin (15/50). In nine patients, immunoreactivity was seen against multiple cytoskeletal antigens. We concluded that the prevalence of IgG autoantibodies against cytoskeletal antigens, especially myofibrillar components actin and myosin, is elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
12059075 Sialic acid, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and rheumatoid arthritis: a study on the er 2002 Apr We measured serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and erythrocyte membrane sialic acid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and studied their correlation with the disease activity. Serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 level was determined with sandwich ELISA and sialic acid level with the method of Shamberger in 42 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in 30 healthy controls. Significantly lower erythrocyte membrane sialic acid and higher serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with healthy controls (p<0.001 for both). Significant negative correlation between soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 level and erythrocyte membrane sialic acid concentration (r=-0.49, p<0.001) and positive correlations between soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 level and Ritche Articular Index score and C-reactive protein (r=0.32, p<0.05; r=0.44, p<0.01, respectively) were observed. From these data we conclude that decreases in erythrocyte membrane sialic acid concentration and increases in soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels are present in rheumatoid arthritis, and that the increased soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in rheumatoid arthritis might be due to the decreased erythrocyte membrane sialic acid concentration. The levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 may be a novel marker for the disease status and the activity of rheumatoid arthritis.