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

ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
2091112 [Morphological evidence of the presence of a bacillus in cell cultures of the synovial mem 1990 Nov 34 synovial membranes (SM) from 24 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and two from osteoarthrosis cases as controls, were studied by culturing the cells on elongated coverslips and Giemsa staining them. 33/34 RA-SM, a 97%, disclosed the presence of a rod-shaped bacterium and its cell wall-deficient forms (CWDB), all adhering to the cells. An external contamination as the organism origin, was ruled out. From one of the RA-SM, a Gram (-), nonfermentative bacillus was isolated, which up to now remains unidentified. This bacillus, when reinoculated onto human embryonic fibroblasts, reproduces the images shown in the rest of the RA-SM. The possibility of this bacillus being the etiological agent of RA is discussed.
2873862 Sulphasalazine for rheumatoid arthritis: relationship between dose, acetylator phenotype a 1986 Aug Sulphasalazine is an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis but the response in any individual is unpredictable. We have sought to establish a relationship between dose (in mg/kg body weight) and metabolism of the drug in 79 patients selected for an extremely good response (43) or no response (36) to treatment with sulphasalazine. The dose of sulphasalazine in relationship to body weight showed no difference between the two treatment outcome groups. The distribution of acetylator phenotype showed only a trend for slow acetylators to occur more frequently in the group of good responders to treatment. There is no advantage in the routine assessment of acetylator phenotype as a predictor of response to treatment with sulphasalazine.
2454315 Adult rheumatoid arthritis is associated with MC1, a new HLA-D encoded determinant. 1988 Mar We evaluated the association of a new HLA-D encoded determinant, MC1, with adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This determinant associates with DR1 and DR4 and can be defined by serological typing. We found MC1 in 83% of 80 patients with RA vs 43% of controls. Although the frequencies of DR1 and DR4 were both significantly increased in patients with RA compared with controls, MC1 had the highest relative risk (6.2) of any HLA-DR antigen tested. MC1 negative and positive populations were not significantly different in any of a variety of clinical and laboratory variables including age, sex, disease duration, age at onset, hours of morning stiffness, functional class, joint count, presence of subcutaneous nodules or bony erosions, frequency of side effects to gold or D-penicillamine, sedimentation rate, and antinuclear antibody.
2192435 Presence of human 65 kD heat shock protein (hsp) in inflamed joints and subcutaneous nodul 1990 Jun Monoclonal antibodies to the human homologue of the bacterial 65 kD heat shock protein (hsp) were used to investigate the tissue distribution of endogenous hsp 65 in normal versus rheumatoid synovial tissue, in subcutaneous nodules of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in several instances of non-rheumatoid inflammation. A strong reactivity of the anti-hsp antibody was found in the cartilage-pannus junction in rheumatoid joints and in rheumatoid nodules, but not in normal joints or in normal or inflamed kidney or liver (irreversible graft rejection, chronic glomerulonephritis or primary biliary cirrhosis). The findings provide a new hypothetical explanation for a role of T cells reactive with the 65 kD hsp in the generation of both articular and extra-articular lesions in chronic rheumatoid arthritis.
2790398 Serum and synovial fluid osteocalcin (bone gla protein) levels in joint disease. 1989 Oct Osteocalcin (bone gla protein) is a sensitive marker of bone turnover in metabolic disease. Using a well characterized antiserum (R 102M) we have assayed serum and synovial fluid samples from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and related levels to serological and radiological markers of disease. There were 21 patients with RA (mean age 58.2 years, 15 F) and 33 with OA (mean age 69.2, 28 F). Paired serum and synovial fluids (SF) were available in 19 RA patients and 30 OA patients. Serum osteocalcin levels were related to age-/sex-matched normals and to a small group of elderly disease controls. Serum levels tended to be lower in RA than controls, but not significantly so: RA 5.56 (3.67); control 6.09 (2.54) ng/ml; expressed as mean (SD) and the mean serum/SF ratio was 0.88 (0.86). The results were much more variable in OA (mean serum osteocalcin 6.1 (3.9]. Elevated levels were mainly due to a small number of patients with a destructive form of OA and were higher than those with non-destructive OA (10.3 (3.5), n = 20, versus 3.83 (1.6), n = 10). Patients with non-destructive OA had a lower serum osteocalcin than age-/sex-matched normals. In this study, synovial fluid levels were usually less than serum concentrations, but in two RA and four OA patients the ratio was reversed, suggesting local production. Osteocalcin may be an important marker of bone activity in OA.
2633486 [Kidney involvement in rheumatoid arthritis]. 1989 Two cases of rheumatoid arthritis with renal lesions are presented. In one of the patients a mesangial IgM nephropathy and in the other patient a mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis were proved clinically and by biopsy. In the first patient proteinuria was found only while in the second patient the proteinuria was combined with nephrotic syndrome and arterial hypertension. The various renal lesions in rheumatoid arthritis and their causes are discussed.
3514081 Salivary and serum levels of electrolytes and immunomarkers in edentulous healthy subjects 1986 Jan Chemical analyses of serum and stimulated parotid saliva of 73 edentulous patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and of 36 edentulous healthy controls were performed. The purpose of the present work was to assess the possible correlations between the concentrations of electrolytes and immunomarkers such as lysozyme, IgA, beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in serum and saliva. The results of the chemical analyses of the serum showed elevated values for IgA, IgM, lysozyme and beta 2-m. In addition 45 patients were positive for rheumatoid factor. In saliva, the only significant difference between the groups studied was decreased potassium concentration in the RA patients. Nine salivary specimens were RF positive. There was a highly significant correlation between serum beta 2 and salivary IgA, lysozyme, beta 2-m, urea and amylase in the RA patients. In addition, serum lysozyme and RF were related to salivary beta 2-m and urea. However, no such relations could be observed in the controls. These findings indicate that serum immunomarkers have an effect on the salivary constituents in the patients with an altered immunological state. The importance of simultaneous serum analysis is emphasized when salivary levels are to be interpreted.
3499656 [Radiological lesions of the hands in rheumatoid arthritis with rheumatoid factors and ant 1987 Jul Hand radiograms of 119 consecutive patients affected with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were examined. The patients were distributed in different groups: 46 with (RF+) and 73 without (RF-) rheumatoid factor; 23 with (ANA+) and 96 without (ANA-) antinuclear antibodies. We found that RF+ group significantly differs from the RF- in order to the presence of symmetrical erosions of proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP) and the presence of monolateral erosions of metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP), particularly of the 2nd. We also observed that the frequency of MCP erosions, particularly of the 2nd was higher in ANA+ than in ANA-, and that monolateral PIP erosions were higher in ANA- than in ANA+ group. Moreover, the patients having both RF and ANA more frequently show erosions of symmetrical PIP and monolateral MCP as well as monolateral of the carp. It is therefore suggested that in RA patients having RF or ANA the articular lesions of the hand are different from those of the patients who don't show such serological markers.
3945838 Fistulous rheumatism. 1986 Jan Fistulous rheumatism is an unusual complication of rheumatoid arthritis. We have reported the first case of fistulous rheumatism to involve a major joint and have reviewed the literature on this subject.
3090108 Distribution of immunoglobulin heavy chains in diseased synovia. 1986 Jul Synovium from 142 patients with 12 different arthropathies was examined for the distribution of alpha, delta, gamma, and mu immunoglobulin heavy chains. A high proportion of plasma cells in the superficial subintima in all diseases reacted for alpha heavy chains. Only in rheumatoid disease did the synovium contain more than 10% of plasma cells reacting for mu heavy chains.
2198495 [Bone densitometry. A critical review and the authors' own experience]. 1990 May After an updated review of computerised bone densitometry, personal experience of the bone density found in healthy subjects and rheumatoid arthritis patients both those treated with prednisone and untreated is reported. In addition certain biohumoral parameters like bone calcium, PTH, CT and l'1-25 (OH)2D3 were investigated. The results show significantly lower levels of bone calcium in treated than untreated patients.
3680331 Neer total shoulder replacement in rheumatoid arthritis. 1987 Nov Forty-two shoulders in 37 patients with polyarthritis were treated with Neer total shoulder replacements and reviewed 12 to 66 months afterwards. There was good pain relief and improvement in function, but the range of movement was less than that seen after replacements for osteoarthritis; this may have been related to the fact that 34 shoulders had abnormal rotator cuff tendons. Although there was a high incidence of radiolucent lines around the glenoid component, there was no clinical evidence of loosening. There were a few complications, but on the whole we feel that the Neer total shoulder arthroplasty is a valuable procedure for a patient with polyarthritis.
3487899 [Complement fragment C 3d in the plasma of patients with chronic polyarthritis]. 1986 Mar Activation of the complement system via immune complex formation plays an important role in the perpetuation of chronic inflammatory disorders. The serum levels of C3 or C4 do not necessarily reflect the actual complement catabolism. By measurement of the long-lived C3 split product "C3d" direct information about complement activation can be obtained. C3d was measured with a modified immunoelectrophoresis technique in EDTA-plasma of 106 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 36% of them showed significantly elevated C3d levels (mean: 8.93 micrograms/ml). Significant linear correlations were found for C3d with ESR, Lansbury-Index and plasma viscosity.
3545223 Cyclosporin A in rheumatoid arthritis: preliminary clinical results of an open trial. 1987 Jan Twelve patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis were included in a 1-year open trial of cyclosporin A (CsA), 5 mg/kg/day. Clinical efficacy was observed 1 month after beginning treatment, was well established after 4 months of therapy, and remained stable for the remainder of the 1-year treatment period. Among the numerous side effects observed, renal toxicity and hypertension occurred suddenly during the trial and required constant monitoring, adequate therapy, and modulation of CsA dosage. Cyclosporin A seems to be an effective treatment for active rheumatoid arthritis, but it requires close monitoring for toxicity.
1787486 Prolactin deficiency in rheumatoid arthritis. 1991 Nov Prolactin and growth hormone were determined from the sera of 48 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 23 controls by radioimmunoassay and by the Nb2 lymphoma proliferation bioassay. A highly significant deficiency was found in the bioactivity of circulating prolactin (PRL) in patients with RA, whereas immunoactive PRL was near normal. Only age matched male patients showed significantly lower serum PRL levels by radioimmunoassay. Patients with RA with anemia and high reticulocyte counts had bioactivity of PRL elevated and those with anemia and low reticulocyte counts had a decreased bioactivity of PRL when compared to patients without anemia. Prolactin isolated from the sera of 5 patients with RA showed decreased bioactivity in comparison with PRL separated from 5 sex matched controls. Serum factors capable of enhancing or inhibiting the response of Nb2 cells to ovine PRL were also discovered. Our results indicate that RA is associated with PRL deficiency.
1986436 Rheumatoid arthritis of the larynx: the importance of early diagnosis and corticosteroid t 1991 Jan Rheumatoid arthritis is a destructive systemic disorder characterized by remissions and exacerbations. The larynx is involved in approximately 25% of these patients. The importance of early detection of laryngeal involvement by this disease and treatment with corticosteroids has not been adequately addressed in the literature. We have described five patients who had early diagnosis and successful treatment with systemic corticosteroids and/or corticosteroid injection of the cricoarytenoid joint.
3502563 HLA frequency and haplotype analysis in a family study of adult onset rheumatoid arthritis 1986 Jun Twenty-five families with probands who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied for clinical evidence of disease and for HLA status. This confirmed an association between RA and DR4 in 19/25 probands (76 per cent, p = 0.008). These 19 probands carried 24 haplotypes which contained DR4. There was no significant increase of DR4 haplotypes bearing B15(Bw62) or B44 when compared with published control haplotype data. The rare complement allele C4 B3 was detected as part of the extended haplotype A2 Cw3 B15(Bw62) DR4 C4 A*3B*3 in three probands with severe RA. Further studies to examine disease severity and autoantibody expression are in progress.
3487119 Penicillamine-induced proteinuria: risk factors. 1986 May Twenty-six of 300 patients (9%) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) developed penicillamine-induced proteinuria. The mean daily dose and duration of therapy at onset of proteinuria were 591 mg and 9 months, respectively, while the mean duration of proteinuria was 5.5 months. However, six patients developed proteinuria at 250 mg/d and six after 9 months of therapy. Twelve patients were successfully either restarted (five) or maintained (seven) on penicillamine with resolution of proteinuria. No permanent renal impairment occurred. Positive risk factors included the presence of HLA-B8 and DR3 and prior gold-induced proteinuria. Patients with prior gold-induced proteinuria should be observed more carefully, but tissue typing is not recommended as proteinuria is reversible. Furthermore, penicillamine can be restarted or maintained in these patients if the RA has responded favorably to the drug.
3499907 Elevated plasma C3 anaphylatoxin levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients. 1987 Oct Because synovial fluid levels of the C3 anaphylatoxins, C3a and C3a desArg, are more than 7 times higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) than in patients with degenerative joint disease or traumatic arthritis, we conducted a prospective study of plasma levels of C3 and C5 anaphylatoxins in 11 RA patients. The mean level of C3 anaphylatoxin in 37 RA plasma specimens was twice as high as that in samples obtained from 9 normal volunteers (272.9 +/- 106.1 ng/ml versus 133.9 +/- 19.4 ng/ml) (P less than 0.05). We found that the joint index and the disease activity index were correlated with the plasma C3 anaphylatoxin level, and that the correlation values were similar to those for serum C-reactive protein level and for the Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In correlations of the joint index and disease activity index with combinations of laboratory test results, the plasma C3a level, the serum C-reactive protein level, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, we found that almost any pair of laboratory tests correlated more strongly than did any one test.
2919611 Prevalence of granular lymphocyte proliferation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 1989 Mar PURPOSE: Granular lymphocyte proliferation and neutropenia with or without splenomegaly occurs with unknown frequency in rheumatoid arthritis. We decided to evaluate the prevalence of Felty's syndrome and granular lymphocyte proliferation among patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to determine the fraction of patients with granular lymphocyte proliferation who also had rheumatoid arthritis. PATIENTS, METHODS, AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed 1,053 cases of rheumatoid arthritis and 13,505 marrow examination reports for the decade 1978 to 1987. Among patients with Felty's syndrome rheumatoid arthritis with neutropenia/leukopenia, and rheumatoid arthritis with splenomegaly, we identified 18 patients with neutropenia as a manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis. We also identified marrow examinations in 150 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Using blood counts, microscopy of marrow, and surface antigen analysis of mononuclear cells, we determined that 12 patients had typical Felty's syndrome and six had granular lymphocyte proliferation, representing prevalences of 1.1 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively. No patient had granular lymphocyte proliferation without neutropenia. CONCLUSION: Granular lymphocyte proliferation and neutropenia with or without splenomegaly in rheumatoid arthritis commonly resembles typical Felty's syndrome. Further, the six patients with granular lymphocyte proliferation represent 20 percent of our institution's patients with granular lymphocyte proliferation, supporting the previously described common association of this disorder with rheumatoid arthritis. The relatively large fraction of deaths (due to malignancy and infection) among the patients with typical Felty's syndrome suggests that their mean survival may be comparatively less than in those with granular lymphocyte proliferation.