Circulating Immune Complexes with Citrullinated Fibrinogen in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Author Information
Author(s): Zhao Xiaoyan, Okeke Nwora Lance, Sharpe Orr, Batliwalla Franak M, Lee Annette T, Ho Peggy P, Tomooka Beren H, Gregersen Peter K, Robinson William H
Primary Institution: Stanford University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
The study investigates the presence and role of circulating immune complexes containing citrullinated fibrinogen in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Conclusion
Circulating immune complexes containing citrullinated fibrinogen are found in half of anti-CCP+ rheumatoid arthritis patients, suggesting they contribute to synovitis.
Supporting Evidence
- Half of the anti-CCP+ RA patients had circulating immune complexes containing fibrinogen.
- C1q-immunoassays showed increased levels of IgG and IgM immune complexes in RA patients compared to healthy controls.
- Fibrinogen-containing immune complexes co-localized with complement component C3 in RA tissue.
Takeaway
Some people with rheumatoid arthritis have special proteins in their blood that can cause swelling in their joints.
Methodology
The study used C1q protein to capture immune complexes from plasma samples, followed by various assays including ELISA and mass spectrometry.
Limitations
The study may not fully exclude the possibility that the immune complexes are formed in vivo rather than ex vivo.
Participant Demographics
The study included 30 rheumatoid arthritis patients, predominantly female (93%) with an average age of 72.6 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.0004
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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