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Search for: rheumatoid arthritis    methotrexate    autoimmune disease    biomarker    gene expression    GWAS    HLA genes    non-HLA genes   

ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
26830864 Clustering of autoimmune diseases in patients with rosacea. 2016 Apr BACKGROUND: Rosacea is a common inflammatory skin condition that shares genetic risk loci with autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and celiac disease. A recent genomewide association study identified 90 genetic regions associated with T1DM, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and/or rheumatoid arthritis, respectively. However, a possible association with rosacea was not investigated. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the association between rosacea and T1DM, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, respectively. METHODS: We performed a population-based case-control study. A total of 6759 patients with rosacea were identified and matched with 33,795 control subjects on age, sex, and calendar time. We used conditional logistic regression to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: After adjustment for smoking and socioeconomic status, patients with rosacea had significantly increased ORs for T1DM (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.41-4.73), celiac disease (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.35-3.07), multiple sclerosis (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.20-2.28), and rheumatoid arthritis (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.82-2.52). The association was mainly observed in women. LIMITATIONS: We were unable to distinguish between the different subtypes and severities of rosacea. CONCLUSIONS: Rosacea is associated with T1DM, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, respectively, in women, whereas the association in men only reached statistical significance for rheumatoid arthritis.
26509042 What is the prevalence of MRI-detected inflammation and erosions in small joints in the ge 2015 INTRODUCTION: MRI sensitively depicts erosions, bone marrow edema (BME) and synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recently developed European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations stated that MRI is valuable to improve the certainty of a considered diagnosis and to detect structural damage at an early time point. However, these recommendations were mainly based on the data of patients with RA; prevalences of MRI features in the general population were not extensively explored. We reviewed the literature on MRI studies including symptom-free persons to assess the occurrence of MRI features. METHODS: Medical literature databases up to September 2013 were systematically reviewed for symptom-free persons with MRI data on metacarpophalangeal, wrist and metatarsophalangeal joints. Data were extracted and summarised. When allowed because of comparable scanning and scoring protocols, a mean frequency of features was calculated. RESULTS: Of the 338 articles screened, 31 studies evaluated MRI findings in symptom-free persons (n=516 in total). Both the imaging techniques (<1/≥1 T, with/without contrast enhancement) and the scoring methods (non-validated or RA MRI score (RAMRIS)) varied widely, prohibiting direct comparisons of the results of many studies. 15 studies scored data according to RAMRIS; combining data of similar joint regions showed that erosions (RAMRIS ≥1) were present in 33-52% of symptom-free persons. Similarly, synovitis was present in 27% and BME in 0-16% of symptom-free persons. The prevalence of MRI-detected erosions increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: MRI features, erosions in particular, occur frequently in symptom-free persons. Before MRI can be implemented in the diagnostic process, larger studies should be conducted determining the degree and combination of MRI features that are disease specific.
27594856 Efficient and Non-Toxic Biological Response Carrier Delivering TNF-α shRNA for Gene Silen 2016 Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is an effective and specific method for silencing genes. However, an efficient and non-toxic carrier is needed to deliver the siRNA into the target cells. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) plays a central role in the occurrence and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we pre-synthetized a degradable cationic polymer (PDAPEI) from 2,6-pyridinedicarboxaldehyde and low-molecular-weight polyethyleneimine (PEI, Mw = 1.8 kDa) as a gene vector for the delivery of TNF-α shRNA. The PDAPEI/pDNA complex showed a suitable particle size and stable zeta potential for transfection. In vitro study of the PDAPEI/pDNA complex revealed a lower cytotoxicity and higher transfection efficiency when transfecting TNF-α shRNA to macrophages by significantly down-regulating the expression of TNF-α. Moreover, the complex was extremely efficient in decreasing the severity of arthritis in mice with collagen-induced arthritis. PDAPEI delivered TNF-α shRNA has great potential in the treatment of RA.
25785047 IL-1RA gene-transfected bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in APA microcapsules co 2015 OBJECTIVES: In order to investigate the encapsulation of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-RA) gene-modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in alginate-poly-L-lysine (APA) microcapsules for the persistent delivery of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-RA) to treat Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: We transfect mesenchymal stem cells with IL-RA gene, and quantify the IL-RA proteins released from the encapsulated cells followed by microencapsulation of recombinant mesenchymal stem cells, and thus observe the permeability of APA microcapsules and evaluate clinical effects after induction and treatment of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The concentration of IL-RA in the supernatant was determined by IL-RA ELISA kit by run in technical triplicates using samples from three separate mice. RESULTS: Encapsulated IL-RA gene-transfected cells were capable of constitutive delivery of IL-RA proteins for at least 30 days. Moreover, the APA microcapsules could inhibit the permeation of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjuncted immunoglobulin G. Also, it has been found that the APA microcapsules can significantly attenuate collagen induced arthritis after delivering of APA microcapsules to rats. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that the nonautologous IL-RA gene-transfected stem cells are of potential utility for RA therapy.
27042337 Association of the different types of radiographic damage with physical function in patien 2016 OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the separate effects of erosions (E) (bone damage), joint space narrowing (JSN) (cartilage loss) and (sub)luxation (SLUX) (soft tissue damage) in four different joint groups on physical disability in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: 3-year follow-up data from the Rheumatoid Arthritis PreventIon of structural Damage (RAPID) 1 and 2 trials were used. These randomised controlled trials compared certolizumab plus methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX in patients with RA. Physical function was measured by Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Radiographic damage was measured by the van der Heijde-modified Sharp score; separate scores for E, JSN and SLUX were available. Generalised estimating equations were performed to assess the relationship between HAQ and E, JSN and SLUX scores, separately and in all joint groups. RESULTS: In separate models for each type of damage and after adjusting for age, gender, baseline disease activity and treatment group, E and JSN were more strongly associated with HAQ than with SLUX. In combined models, JSN was the only type of lesion associated with HAQ when all joints were included together. When separate joint groups were analysed, E in the wrist and JSN in the metacarpophalangeal joints (MCPs) were most strongly associated with function. CONCLUSIONS: Among RA-related joint damage, cartilage loss quantified by JSN is an important determinant of physical function. However, when analysing joint groups separately, erosive damage in the wrist and JSN in the MCPs had the most important influence on disability. These data indicate that the comprehensive assessment of joint damage is needed to reliably reflect disease-related damage.
25944007 Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Schefflera octophylla extracts. 2015 Aug 2 ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Schefflera octophylla (Lour.) Harms, a traditional Chinese herb mainly distributed in Southeast Asia, is extensively prescribed to alleviate pain and treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), influenza, throat swelling, pain, etc. In this paper, the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanol extract and its five different polar fractions of this plant were evaluated. Furthermore, the anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity of the ethanol extract and its active fraction (CHCl3 fraction) were evaluated. And the chemical constituents of the CHCl3 active fraction displayed significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities were investigated by hot plate test, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test and formalin test, xylene-induced ear edema test. The anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity was evaluated through the model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) in rats, paw swelling, pain response, arthritis index and histopathological changes of ankle, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and rheumatoid factor (RF) of rats were detected. The chemical constituents of the CHCl3 fraction were isolated using chromatographic techniques. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the ethanol extract of S. octophylla has significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. And its five different polar fractions especially the CHCl3 fraction significantly inhibited the abdominal writhing induced by acetic acid and ear edema induced by xylene, also increased pain threshold in hot plate test in 120 min and reduced ticking times in formalin test. The ethanol extract of S. octophylla and the CHCl3 fraction demonstrated an anti-RA effect in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in ethanol extract (600 mg/kg) and CHCl3 fraction (300 mg/kg) groups were significantly lower than those of the model group. The chemical constituents study of the CHCl3 fraction from S. octophylla led to six triterpenoids which were identified as taraxerone (1), 3-epi-taraxerol (2), aleuritolic acid (3), 3-oxofriedelan-28-oic acid (4), 3β,19α -dihydroxy-urs-12-ene- 24,28-dioic acid (5) and asiatic acid (6). Compounds 1-5 were obtained from this plant for the first time. CONCLUSION: This study proved the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatoid arthritis activities of S. octophylla. Triterpenoids obtained from its CHCl3 fraction may be responsible for those activities. These results could support the fact that S. octophylla is used traditionally to cure inflammatory and pain diseases.
27683153 The role of methotrexate as combination therapy with etanercept in rheumatoid arthritis: R 2016 Sep OBJECTIVE: In a real-life setting, to analyse retrospectively the effects of different methotrexate regimens on etanercept efficacy during the first year of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Demographic characteristics, clinical parameters and treatment data from patients with RA receiving the first-line biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, etanercept, as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate were analysed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. The study population was stratified into three groups according to the level of concomitant methotrexate therapy: no methotrexate, low-dose methotrexate (≤ 10 mg/week) or high-dose methotrexate (>10 mg/week). RESULTS: Clinical response at 6 and 12 months and clinical outcome at 12 months were significantly better in patients concomitantly treated with high-dose methotrexate. Furthermore, this regimen was associated with the lowest discontinuation rate, suggesting a favourable safety profile. CONCLUSION: These data confirm, in a real-life setting, the importance of methotrexate as a combination therapy with etanercept and suggest that the minimal effective dose of methotrexate is >10 mg/week.
27639156 The role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. 2016 Dec MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded, endogenous non-coding small RNAs, ranging from 18 to 25 nucleotides in length. Growing evidence suggests that miRNAs are essential in regulating gene expression, cell development, differentiation and function. Autoimmune diseases are a family of chronic systemic inflammatory diseases. Recent findings on miRNA expression profiles have been suggesting their role as biomarkers in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of miRNAs and their functional role in the immune system and autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis; moreover, we depict the advantages of miRNAs in modern diagnostics.
27448322 Pain in autoimmune disorders. 2017 Jun Most autoimmune diseases are associated with pathological pain development. Autoimmune diseases with pathological pain include complex regional pain syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and Guillian-Barré syndrome to name a few. The present Review explores research linking the immune system to the development of pathological pain in autoimmune diseases. Pathological pain has been linked to T-cell activation and the release of cytokines from activated microglia in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. New research on the role of autoantibodies in autoimmunity has generated insights into potential mechanisms of pain associated with autoimmune disease. Autoantibodies may act through various mechanisms in autoimmune disorders. These include the alteration of neuronal excitability via specific antigens such as the voltage-gated potassium channel complexes or by mediating bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Although more research must be done to understand better the role of autoantibodies in autoimmune disease related pain, this may be a promising area of research for new analgesic therapeutic targets. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
26396551 Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Risks and Prophylaxis R 2015 Pneumocystis jirovecii infection causes fulminant interstitial pneumonia (Pneumocystis pneumonia, PCP) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are receiving biological and/or nonbiological antirheumatic drugs. Recently, we encountered a PCP outbreak among RA outpatients at our institution. Hospital-acquired, person-to-person transmission appears to be the most likely mode of this cluster of P. jirovecii infection. Carriage of P. jirovecii seems a time-limited phenomenon in immunocompetent hosts, but in RA patients receiving antirheumatic therapy, clearance of this organism from the lungs is delayed. Carriers among RA patients can serve as sources and reservoirs of P. jirovecii infection for other susceptible patients in outpatient facilities. Development of PCP is a matter of time in such carriers. Considering the poor survival rates of PCP cases, prophylactic antibiotics should be considered for RA patients who are scheduled to receive antirheumatic therapy. Once a new case of PCP occurs, we should take prompt action not only to treat the PCP patient but also to prevent other patients from becoming new carriers of P. jirovecii. Short-term prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is effective in controlling P. jirovecii infection and preventing future outbreaks of PCP among RA patients.
27489727 Development of rheumatoid arthritis during treatment of multiple sclerosis with interferon 2016 Sep Coexistence of multiple sclerosis (MS) with other autoimmune diseases has been attributed to common background genetic or environmental factors. This study presents development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during treatment of MS. The MS was confirmed by the Mc Donald criteria and the diagnosis of RA was confirmed by the ACR/EULAR criteria. A 35 years old women with 9 years of MS who was receiving interferon beta 1-a (INF) for 7 years and who did not respond to conventional therapy of RA over 8 months developed clinical manifestations of RA. But a rapid response was observed after discontinuation of INF. These findings suggest a possible contribution of INF in the development of RA.
26512303 Long-term ustekinumab therapy of psoriasis in patients with coexisting rheumatoid arthriti 2015 Sep 30 BACKGROUND: Inteleukin (IL)12 and IL23 are two main cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated disease. IL12 is produced by macrophages and B lymphocytes and mediates differentiation of Th1 lymphocytes, while IL23 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine essential for the differentiation of Th17 cells. Ustekinumab is a human monoclonal antibody directed against the p40 protein subunit shared by IL12 and IL23, therefore it blocks the signal transmission of both cytokines. MAIN OBSERVATIONS: We present two cases and discuss the long-term efficacy of ustekinumab as a treatment of psoriasis in patients affected by autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome, who presented with severe psoriasis after anti-TNF treatment. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, these are the first cases reported in the literature describing the long-term good efficacy of ustekinumab not only on paradoxical forms of psoriasis induced by anti-TNF-α drugs, but also on the articular involvement in a patient affected by RA and in a patient affected by Sjögren syndrome.
26236163 Epidemiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Southern Albania. 2015 Jun OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, incidence and the burden of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Southern Albania. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an epidemiologic observational study with cross-sectional analyses of all patients with RA who lived in Southern Albania during the 1995-2011 years. The RA prevalence, incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) were assessed. RESULTS: During the 1995-2011 years, 194 patients (154 females and 40 males) with RA living in Southern Albania were identified. The prevalence of RA in 2011 was 0.25% in general population and 0.34% in adult (>14 years) population. The incidence of RA in 2011 was 0.012% (12 new cases per 100000 inhabitants) and 0.016% (16 new cases per 100000 adults). The prevalence increased (from 0.036% in 1996 to 0.25% in 2011) and the incidence did not change over the study period. The mortality was 3.2% (n=7 deaths). The DALY due to RA was 823 years per 100000 inhabitants during 1995-2011 years. CONCLUSION: RA in Southern Albania has a prevalence of 0.25 % and an annual incidence of 0.012% in the general population in 2011. RA was responsible for a considerable burden on the health of population during the 1995-2011 years.
27042335 Glucocorticoids and chronotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis. 2016 It is evident that the morning symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are linked to the circadian abnormal increase in night inflammation, favoured by inadequate cortisol secretion under conditions of active disease. Therefore, exogenous glucocorticoid treatment is recommended in RA at low doses since it may partially act like a 'replacement therapy'. The prevention/treatment of the night upregulation of the immune/inflammatory reaction (and related flare of cytokine synthesis) has been shown to be more effective when exogenous glucocorticoid administration is obtained with a night-time-release formulation. Large-scale trials documented that modified-release prednisone has greater efficacy then morning prednisone for long-term low-dose glucocorticoid treatment in patients with RA, showing at least a more significant reduction in morning joint stiffness. Interestingly, despite a considerably higher cost than conventional prednisone, chronotherapy with night-time-release prednisone was recognised as a cost-effective option for patients with RA not on glucocorticoids who are eligible for therapy with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Moreover, since different cell populations involved in the inflammatory process are particularly activated during the night, other therapeutical approaches used in RA, for example, conventional DMARDs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), should follow the same concepts of glucocorticoid chronotherapy. Indeed, bedtime methotrexate chronotherapy was found to improve RA symptoms compared to the current standard dosing methods, and several available NSAIDs (ie, indomethacin, aceclofenac, ketoprofen, flurbiporfen, lornoxicam) have been very recently modified in their formulation, in order to obtain chronotherapeutical effects in RA.
26843965 Identification of rheumatoid arthritis biomarkers based on single nucleotide polymorphisms 2016 Jan Genetics of autoimmune diseases represent a growing domain with surpassing biomarker results with rapid progress. The exact cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is unknown, but it is thought to have both a genetic and an environmental bases. Genetic biomarkers are capable of changing the supervision of RA by allowing not only the detection of susceptible individuals, but also early diagnosis, evaluation of disease severity, selection of therapy, and monitoring of response to therapy. This review is concerned with not only the genetic biomarkers of RA but also the methods of identifying them. Many of the identified genetic biomarkers of RA were identified in populations of European and Asian ancestries. The study of additional human populations may yield novel results. Most of the researchers in the field of identifying RA biomarkers use single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) approaches to express the significance of their results. Although, haplotype block methods are expected to play a complementary role in the future of that field.
27275182 Non-Bacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis. 2016 May Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is frequently associated with various extra-joint complications. Although rare, thromboembolic complications are associated with high morbidity and mortality. We experienced a very rare case of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) and subsequent embolic stroke in a patient with RA. A 72-year-old male with a 15-year history of RA suddenly developed neurologic symptoms of vomiting and dizziness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed recently developed multiple cerebellar and cerebral lacunar infarctions. Echocardiography showed a pulsating mitral valve vegetation involving the posterior cusp of the mitral valve leaflet, which was confirmed as NBTE. Immediate anti-coagulation therapy was started. The NBTE lesion disappeared in follow-up echocardiography after 4 weeks of anti-coagulation treatment.
27736727 Novel self-assembled tacrolimus nanoparticles cross-linking thermosensitive hydrogels for 2017 Jan 1 The aim was to explore the potential application of novel self-assembled nanoparticles cross-linking thermosensitive hydrogels composed of polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol (Soluplus) and tacrolimus (FK-506) for local therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The sol-gel transition temperature (T(sol-gel)), gelation time, rheological behaviors, in vitro release, in vivo gelation and retention, and therapeutic efficacy against adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats were compared between the Soluplus hydrogels and widely studied poloxamer 407 (P407) delivery systems. In sol, the spherical and uniform FK506 loaded Soluplus nanoparticles (Soluplus-SNPs) were self-assembled with encapsulation efficiency of 99.5±1.5% and particle size of 73.9±2.9nm. The decreased T(sol-gel) of Soluplus-SNPs hydrogels was associated with the addition of salts, elevation of pH and ionic strength. The optimal T(sol-gel) of Soluplus-SNPs with concentrations of 10%-30% in phosphate buffer (50mM, pH 7.4) was from 37.4±0.1°C to 32.8±0.3°C and the gelation time was not greater than 2min. Soluplus-SNPs gelling systems showed lower viscosity and wider range concentrations in sol state at 25°C and stronger gel strength at 37°C than P407, which resulting in longer sustained release of FK506 but without burst-release in vitro, and longer retention time in the local injection site in vivo. The therapeutic efficacy to treat AIA rats was significantly enhanced from d10 to d17 after a single dose of FK506 loaded in 10% and 20% Soluplus-SNPs hydrogels. In conclusion, Soluplus-SNPs hydrogel is a potential sustainable delivery system for FK506 to treat RA locally.
27616043 The bispecific antibody aimed at the vicious circle of IL-1β and IL-17A, is beneficial fo 2016 Nov Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic and autoimmune disease with overexpression inflammation cytokines. The biological therapy targeting these inflammatory cytokines has been applied for the clinic. Drugs aimed at a single target are ineffective in some patients with RA. However, double-target and multi-target drugs have huge advantages in therapy. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) are the keys to inflammatory factors in RA. The bispecific antibody(BsAb)against both human IL-1β and human IL-17A was formed and expressed in E. coli. The binding specificity and efficiency of the BsAb was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting and several cells experiments including THP-1, 3T3-L1 and L929 in vitro. Different doses of BsAb (5, 2, 0.8mg/kg) were compared in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice, with Adalimumab and Dexamethasone as the positive control. The effects on mice were determined by the degree of arthritis severity, cytokines levels, the level of IgG against CII and rheumatoid factor level in serum, the transcription levels of relative cytokines in the spleen, and histological damage. Furthermore, the activation of NF-κB was analyzed by Western blotting. In conclusion, BsAb can bind with IL-1β and IL-17A to alleviate the severity of arthritis, to decrease the levels of inflammation cytokines in serum, to down-regulate the expression of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and MMP-3, to up-regulate the expression of IL-10, to relieve histological damage and to inhibit bone destruction. BsAb inhibited nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit and cytoplasm IκB-α degradation by blocking IL-1β and IL-17A, the upstream of NF-κB pathway. High doses of BsAb had a more beneficial effect on CIA mice than Adalimumab and Dexamethasone. Thus, these results indicate that BsAb can be regarded as an ideal candidate for RA therapy.
30375560 A New Explanation of Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients With Respect to Claudin 2016 Dec OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the relationship between neuroserpin (NSP) and claudin-5, as well as matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), with respect to clinical activity of disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 75 patients (18 males, 57 females; mean age 48.12±11.23 years; range 20 to 60 years) who were admitted to the rheumatology outpatient facility at the Medical Faculty Hospital, Sakarya University, in October 2014. Patients were divided into four groups based on their Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) scores as remission group (n=16, DAS28 <2.6), low disease activity group (n=16, DAS28 between 2.6-3.2), moderate disease activity group (n=28, DAS28 between 3.2-5.1), and high disease activity group (n=15, DAS28 >5.1). Ten healthy subjects (HS) served as controls. RESULTS: Claudin-5, MMP-9, and NSP levels were significantly different in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to HS (p=0.035, 0.026, and 0.014, respectively). Additionally, there were no differences between claudin-5 levels and disease activity among all RA groups. However, compared to HS, patient groups showed a significant difference (p=0.035) in terms of claudin-5 levels. Serum levels of MMP-9 were significantly different in moderate disease activity group compared to HS (p=0.013). Levels of NSP were significantly different in moderate disease activity and high disease activity groups compared to HS (p=0.008 and 0.031, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated the differential associations of endothelial function/dysfunction biomarkers and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. How and why this impairment occurs is not fully understood and more data regarding NSP, MMP, and claudin expression in plasma are warranted.
26634685 Epigenetic mechanisms and drug discovery in rheumatology. 2015 Dec There is a growing understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene expression in healthy conditions and a realisation that dysregulation of these mechanisms is an underlying factor in many human diseases. We discuss studies demonstrating that small molecule inhibitors of epigenetic regulatory proteins can block pathogenic mechanisms associated with rheumatoid arthritis, focusing on the effects of these inhibitors on synovial fibroblasts-fibroblast-like synoviocytes.