| 1. |
- Andersson, Maria L.E., et al.
(författare)
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Autoantibodies to Disease-Related Proteins in Joints as Novel Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis
- 2023
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Ingår i: Arthritis & Rheumatology. - : Wiley. - 2326-5191 .- 2326-5205. ; 75:7, s. 1110-1119
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. This study was undertaken to develop and characterize a multiplex immunoassay for detection of autoantibodies against peptides derived from proteins known to play a role in development of arthritis and that are also expressed in joints.Methods. We selected peptides from the human counterpart of proteins expressed in the joints, based on mouse models that showed these to be targeted by pathogenic or regulatory antibodies in vivo. Using bead-based flow immunoassays measuring IgG antibodies, we selected triple helical or cyclic peptides, containing the epitopes, to avoid collinear reactivity. We characterized the analytical performance of the immunoassay and then validated it in 3 independent rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohorts (n = 2,110), Swedish age- and sex-matched healthy controls, and patients with osteoarthritis (OA), patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Results. Screening assays showed 5 peptide antigens that discriminated RA patients from healthy controls with 99% specificity (95% confidence interval [CI] 98-100%). In our validation studies, we reproduced the discriminatory capacity of the autoantibodies in 2 other RA cohorts, showing that the autoantibodies had high discriminatory capacity for RA versus OA, PsA, and SLE. The novel biomarkers identified 22.5% (95% CI 19-26%) of early RA patients seronegative for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide and rheumatoid factor. The usefulness of the biomarkers in identifying seronegative RA patients was confirmed in validation studies using 2 independent cohorts of RA patients and cohorts of patients with OA, PsA, and SLE.Conclusion. A multiplex immunoassay with peptides from disease-related proteins in joints was found to be useful for detection of specific autoantibodies in RA serum. Of note, this immunoassay had high discriminatory capacity for early seronegative RA.
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| 2. |
- Gatto, Mariele, et al.
(författare)
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Early increase of circulating transitional B cells and autoantibodies to joint-related proteins in patients with metastatic melanoma developing checkpoint inhibitor-induced inflammatory arthritis.
- 2023
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Ingår i: Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.). - : Wiley. - 2326-5205 .- 2326-5191. ; 75:5, s. 856-863
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To investigate potential associations between B cell-related immunological changes and development of inflammatory arthritis (IA) after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).Patients who developed IA (ICI-IA) and patients who did not develop immune-related adverse events (non-irAE) after receiving ICI due to metastatic melanoma were consecutively recruited. Blood samples were collected at the time of ICI-IA occurrence and at different timepoints during treatment. Peripheral blood B cell subsets during ICI treatment were analyzed by flow cytometry. Rheumatoid factor, autoantibodies against citrullinated peptides and against joint-related proteins were measured.Proportions of CD19+ B cells were higher in patients with ICI-IA (n=7) vs. non-irAE (n=15; median (interquartile range, IQR), %: 11.7 (9.7-16.2) vs. 8.1 (5.7-11.0), p=0.03). The proportion and absolute numbers of transitional CD19+ CD10+ CD24hi CD38hi B cells were increased in patients with ICI-IA vs. non-irAE (median (IQR); %: 8.1 (4.9-12.1) vs. 3.6 (1.9-4.9); cells/μl: 10.7 (8.9-19.6) vs. 4.4 (2.3-6.6), p<0.01 for both), and higher levels of transitional B cells were associated with development of ICI-IA (OR 95% CI: 2.25 (1.03-4.9), p=0.04). Transitional B cells increased before the onset of overt ICI-IA and decreased from active to quiescent ICI-IA (p=0.02). Autoantibodies to collagen II epitopes were detected in up to 43% of ICI-IA patients compared to none of the non-irAE patients (p=0.02).Development of ICI-IA is accompanied by an increase in transitional B cells and by production of autoantibodies to joint-related proteins. Monitoring of B cell-driven abnormalities upon ICI treatment may help earlier recognition of ICI-IA. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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| 3. |
- Leu Agelii, Monica, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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Disease activity trajectories in rheumatoid arthritis: a tool for prediction of outcome
- 2021
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0300-9742 .- 1502-7732. ; 501:1, s. 1-10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective Predicting treatment response and disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains an elusive endeavour. Identifying subgroups of patients with similar progression is essential for understanding what hinders improvement. However, this cannot be achieved with response criteria based on current versus previous Disease Activity Scores, as they lack the time component. We propose a longitudinal approach that identifies subgroups of patients while capturing their evolution across several clinical outcomes simultaneously (multi-trajectories). Method For exploration, the RA cohort BARFOT (n = 2829) was used to identify 24 month post-diagnosis simultaneous trajectories of 28-joint Disease Activity Score and its components. Measurements were available at inclusion (0), 3, 6, 12, 24, and 60 months. Multi-trajectories were found with latent class growth modelling. For validation, the TIRA-2 cohort (n = 504) was used. Radiographic changes, assessed by the modified Sharp van der Heijde score, were correlated with trajectory membership. Results Three multi-trajectories were identified, with 39.6% of the patients in the lowest and 18.9% in the highest (worst) trajectory. Patients in the worst trajectory had on average eight tender and six swollen joints after 24 months. Radiographic changes at 24 and 60 months were significantly increased from the lowest to the highest trajectory. Conclusion Multi-trajectories constitute a powerful tool for identifying subgroups of RA patients and could be used in future studies searching for predictive biomarkers for disease progression. The evolution and shape of the trajectories in TIRA-2 were very similar to those in BARFOT, even though TIRA-2 is a newer cohort.
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| 4. |
- Leu Agelii, Monica, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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Misdiagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Long-Term Cohort of Early Arthritis Based on the ACR-1987 Classification Criteria
- 2022
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Ingår i: Open Access Rheumatology-Research and Reviews. - 1179-156X. ; 14, s. 187-194
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Correct diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is essential for optimal treatment choices. No pathognomonic test is available, and diagnosis is based on classification criteria, which can result in misdiagnosis. Here, we examined the differences between actual and misdiagnosed RA cases in a long-term cohort of patients included based on the ACR-1987 classification criteria.Methods: Patients in the BARFOT (Better Anti-Rheumatic PharmacOTherapy) cohort (n=2543) with at least four follow-up visits during the initial 5 years from enrolment were assessed, and a change in diagnosis was reported by the treating rheumatologist. The groups were analysed with respect to the individual classification criteria, antibodies to citrullinated proteins (ACPA), disease activity (DAS28) and radiographic changes from inclusion up to 2 years.Results: Forty-five patients (1.8%) were misdiagnosed (RA-change group). When compared to those in the RA-change group, the patients who kept their diagnosis (RA-keep) were more often RF positive (64% vs 21%, p<0.001) or ACPA positive (59% vs 8%, p<0.001). They were also more likely to fulfil more than four ACR-1987 criteria (64% vs 33%, p<0.001) and to have radiographic changes at inclusion (RA-keep 27% vs RA-change 12%, p=0.04). The groups had a similar evolution of DAS28 and its components as well as of radiological joint destruction.Conclusion: Diagnosis of RA according to the ACR-1987 criteria had a high precision in this long-term cohort. A diagnosis of RA should be re-evaluated in patients who do not fulfil more than four ACR-1987 criteria especially in patients negative for RF.
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| 5. |
- Li, T. T., et al.
(författare)
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Pathogenic antibody response to glucose-6-phosphate isomerase targets a modified epitope uniquely exposed on joint cartilage
- 2023
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 82:6, s. 799-808
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesTo identify the arthritogenic B cell epitopes of glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) and their association with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MethodsIgG response towards a library of GPI peptides in patients with early RA, pre-symptomatic individuals and population controls, as well as in mice, were tested by bead-based multiplex immunoassays and ELISA. Monoclonal IgG were generated, and the binding specificity and affinity were determined by ELISA, gel size exclusion chromatography, surface plasma resonance and X-ray crystallography. Arthritogenicity was investigated by passive transfer experiments. Antigen-specific B cells were identified by peptide tetramer staining. ResultsPeptide GPI(293-307) was the dominant B cell epitope in K/BxN and GPI-immunised mice. We could detect B cells and low levels of IgM antibodies binding the GPI(293-307) epitopes, and high affinity anti-GPI(293-307) IgG antibodies already 7 days after GPI immunisation, immediately before arthritis onset. Transfer of anti-GPI(293-307) IgG antibodies induced arthritis in mice. Moreover, anti-GPI(293-307) IgG antibodies were more frequent in individuals prior to RA onset (19%) than in controls (7.5%). GPI(293-307)-specific antibodies were associated with radiographic joint damage. Crystal structures of the Fab-peptide complex revealed that this epitope is not exposed in native GPI but requires conformational change of the protein in inflamed joint for effective recognition by anti-GPI(293-307) antibodies. ConclusionsWe have identified the major pathogenic B cell epitope of the RA-associated autoantigen GPI, at position 293-307, exposed only on structurally modified GPI on the cartilage surface. B cells to this neo-epitope escape tolerance and could potentially play a role in the pathogenesis of RA.
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| 6. |
- Nilsson, Jenny, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of Age and Sex on Disease Course and Treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis
- 2021
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Ingår i: Open Access Rheumatology-Research and Reviews. - 1179-156X. ; 13, s. 123-138
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: More than 50% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are >65 years at diagnosis. Age of onset and sex may influence the disease course, outcome and treatment. This study follows a large cohort of patients with early RA to assess contributions of age and sex to disease outcomes. Methods: Patients from the BARFOT cohort, n=2837 (68% women), were followed for eight years at predefined time points to assess inflammation, function, joint destruction and treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and glucocorticoids (GC). The patients were divided by sex and age at inclusion (<40, 40-54, 55-69 and >= 70 years). Results: For both sexes, disease activity, function and pain improved over time, significantly more in men than in women in all age groups. In men, those <40 years displayed significantly lower DAS28 compared with all other groups. This group was also the least represented group in the study. The Sharp van der Heijde Score (SHS) increased over time in both sexes and all age groups. Women >= 70 years showed less improvement in disability and the highest progression of SHS mainly due to increased joint space narrowing. Patients <40 years were more likely to receive biological DMARDs, while those >= 70 years more often received only GC treatment. Conclusion: There were significant age- and sex-dependent differences in the medical treatment and in outcome of RA 8 years after diagnosis. The differences were most pronounced in men<40 and women >= 70 years, but whether they are due to disease phenotype or treatment is unclear.
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| 7. |
- Thorarinsdottir, Katrin, et al.
(författare)
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Cartilage destruction in early rheumatoid arthritis patients correlates with CD21−/low double-negative B cells
- 2024
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research and Therapy. - 1478-6354 .- 1478-6362. ; 26:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Involvement of B cells in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is supported by the presence of disease-specific autoantibodies and the efficacy of treatment directed against B cells. B cells that express low levels of or lack the B cell receptor (BCR) co-receptor CD21, CD21−/low B cells, have been linked to autoimmune diseases, including RA. In this study, we characterized the CD21+ and CD21−/low B cell subsets in newly diagnosed, early RA (eRA) patients and investigated whether any of the B cell subsets were associated with autoantibody status, disease activity and/or joint destruction. Methods: Seventy-six eRA patients and 28 age- and sex-matched healthy donors were recruited. Multiple clinical parameters were assessed, including disease activity and radiographic joint destruction. B cell subsets were analysed in peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) using flow cytometry. Results: Compared to healthy donors, the eRA patients displayed an elevated frequency of naïve CD21+ B cells in PB. Amongst memory B cells, eRA patients had lower frequencies of the CD21+CD27+ subsets and CD21−/low CD27+IgD+ subset. The only B cell subset found to associate with clinical factors was the CD21−/low double-negative (DN, CD27−IgD−) cell population, linked with the joint space narrowing score, i.e. cartilage destruction. Moreover, in SF from patients with established RA, the CD21−/low DN B cells were expanded and these cells expressed receptor activator of the nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL). Conclusions: Cartilage destruction in eRA patients was associated with an expanded proportion of CD21−/low DN B cells in PB. The subset was also expanded in SF from established RA patients and expressed RANKL. Taken together, our results suggest a role for CD21−/low DN in RA pathogenesis.
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