PtpA protein from Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis as a potential marker of rheumatoid arthritis in humans
2025

PtpA Protein as a Potential Biomarker for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sample size: 200 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Hernández-Bello Jorge, Bach Horacio, Cerpa-Cruz Sergio, Sánchez-Zuno Gabriela Athziri, Hernández-Gutiérrez Rodolfo, Nicoletti Ferdinando, Saraceno Andrea, Muñoz-Valle José

Primary Institution: Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico

Hypothesis

Can PtpA antibodies in the sera of rheumatoid arthritis patients serve as a biomarker for disease activity?

Conclusion

The study found that 95% of rheumatoid arthritis patients had antibodies against PtpA, suggesting a potential link between rheumatoid arthritis and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection.

Supporting Evidence

  • 95% of RA patients had antibodies against PtpA compared to 16% of control subjects.
  • The median PtpA level in RA patients was significantly higher than in control subjects.
  • The area under the curve for PtpA as a biomarker was 0.9163.

Takeaway

This study looked at a protein from a germ that might be linked to rheumatoid arthritis, finding that most patients had antibodies against it, which could help in understanding the disease.

Methodology

The study used an indirect ELISA method to compare PtpA antibody levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls.

Limitations

The study had a relatively small sample size and included patients on multiple drug treatments, which may complicate the results.

Participant Demographics

RA patients included 23 males and 77 females with a median age of 58; control subjects included 20 males and 80 females with a median age of 40.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0316727

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