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- Eriksson, Kaja, et al.
(author)
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Periodontal Health and Oral Microbiota in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
- 2019
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In: Journal of Clinical Medicine. - : MDPI AG. - 2077-0383. ; 8:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study aimed to investigate the periodontal health of patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in relation to oral microbiota, systemic and oral inflammatory mediators, and RA disease activity. Forty patients underwent full-mouth dental/periodontal and rheumatological examination, including collection of blood, saliva, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and subgingival plaque. Composition of plaque and saliva microbiota were analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing and levels of inflammatory mediators by multiplex-immunoassay. The majority of the patients (75%) had moderate or severe periodontitis and the rest had no/mild periodontitis. Anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) positivity was significantly more frequent in the moderate/severe periodontitis (86%) compared to the no/mild group (50%). No significance between groups was observed for RA disease duration or activity, or type of medication. Levels of sCD30/TNFRSF8, IFN-2, IL-19, IL-26, MMP-1, gp130/sIL-6R ss, and sTNF-R1 were significantly higher in serum or GCF, and April/TNFSF13 was significantly higher in serum and saliva samples in moderate/severe periodontitis. The microbial composition in plaque also differed significantly between the two groups. In conclusion, the majority of RA patients had moderate/severe periodontitis and that this severe form of the disease was significantly associated with ACPA positivity, an altered subgingival microbial profile, and increased levels of systemic and oral inflammatory mediators.
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- Grönwall, Caroline, et al.
(author)
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A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Relationship Between Different IgG and IgA Anti-Modified Protein Autoantibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-3224. ; 12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein autoantibodies (ACPA) with different fine-specificities. Yet, other serum anti-modified protein autoantibodies (AMPA), e.g. anti-carbamylated (Carb), -acetylated (KAc), and malondialdehyde acetaldehyde (MAA) modified protein antibodies, have been described. In this comprehensive study, we analyze 30 different IgG and IgA AMPA reactivities to Cit, Carb, KAc, and MAA antigens detected by ELISA and autoantigen arrays in N=1985 newly diagnosed RA patients. Association with patient characteristics such as smoking and disease activity were explored. Carb and KAc reactivities by different assays were primarily seen in patients also positive for anti-citrulline reactivity. Modified vimentin (mod-Vim) peptides were used for direct comparison of different AMPA reactivities, revealing that IgA AMPA recognizing mod-Vim was mainly detected in subsets of patients with high IgG anti-Cit-Vim levels and a history of smoking. IgG reactivity to acetylation was mainly detected in a subset of patients with Cit and Carb reactivity. Anti-acetylated histone reactivity was RA-specific and associated with high anti-CCP2 IgG levels, multiple ACPA fine-specificities, and smoking status. This reactivity was also found to be present in CCP2+ RA-risk individuals without arthritis. Our data further demonstrate that IgG autoreactivity to MAA was increased in RA compared to controls with highest levels in CCP2+ RA, but was not RA-specific, and showed low correlation with other AMPA. Anti-MAA was instead associated with disease activity and was not significantly increased in CCP2+ individuals at risk of RA. Notably, RA patients could be subdivided into four different subsets based on their AMPA IgG and IgA reactivity profiles. Our serology results were complemented by screening of monoclonal antibodies derived from single B cells from RA patients for the same antigens as the RA cohort. Certain CCP2+ clones had Carb or Carb+KAc+ multireactivity, while such reactivities were not found in CCP2- clones. We conclude that autoantibodies exhibiting different patterns of ACPA fine-specificities as well as Carb and KAc reactivity are present in RA and may be derived from multireactive B-cell clones. Carb and KAc could be considered reactivities within the "Cit-umbrella" similar to ACPA fine-specificities, while MAA reactivity is distinctly different.
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- Hambardzumyan, Karen, et al.
(author)
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A Multi-Biomarker Disease Activity Score and the Choice of Second-Line Therapy in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis After Methotrexate Failure
- 2017
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In: Arthritis & Rheumatology. - : Wiley. - 2326-5191 .- 2326-5205. ; 69:5, s. 953-963
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To investigate whether the Multi-Biomarker Disease Activity (MBDA) score predicts optimal add-on treatment in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were inadequate responders to MTX (MTX-IRs). Methods: We analyzed data from 157 MTX-IRs (with a Disease Activity Score using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate [DAS28-ESR] >3.2) from the Swedish Pharmacotherapy (SWEFOT) trial who were randomized to receive triple therapy (MTX plus sulfasalazine plus hydroxychloroquine) versus MTX plus infliximab. The MBDA score as a predictor of the subsequent DAS28-based response to each second-line treatment was analyzed at randomization with the Breslow-Day test for 2 × 2 groups, using both validated categories (low [<30], moderate [30–44], and high [>44]) and dichotomized categories (lower [≤38] versus higher [>38]). Results: Among the 157 patients, 12% had a low MBDA score, 32% moderate, and 56% high. Of those with a low MBDA score, 88% responded to subsequent triple therapy, and 18% responded to MTX plus infliximab (P = 0.006); for those with a high MBDA score, the response rates were 35% and 58%, respectively (P = 0.040). When using 38 as a cutoff for the MBDA score (29% patients with lower scores versus 71% with higher scores), the differential associations with response to triple therapy versus MTX plus infliximab were 79% versus 44% and 36% versus 58%, respectively (P = 0.001). Clinical and inflammatory markers had poorer predictive capacity for response to triple therapy or MTX plus infliximab. Conclusion: In patients with RA who had an inadequate response to MTX, the MBDA score categories were differentially associated with response to subsequent therapies. Thus, patients with post-MTX biochemical improvements (lower MBDA scores) were more likely to respond to triple therapy than to MTX plus infliximab. If confirmed, these results may help to improve treatment in RA.
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- Hambardzumyan, Karen, et al.
(author)
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Serum biomarkers for prediction of response to methotrexate monotherapy in early rheumatoid arthritis : Results from the SWEFOT trial
- 2019
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In: Journal of Rheumatology. - : The Journal of Rheumatology. - 0315-162X .- 1499-2752. ; 46:6, s. 555-563
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To investigate baseline levels of 12 serum biomarkers that constitute a multibiomarker disease activity test, as predictors of response to methotrexate (MTX) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA). Methods. In 298 patients from the Swedish Pharmacotherapy (SWEFOT) clinical trial, baseline serum levels of 12 proteins were analyzed for association with disease activity based on the 28-joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28) after 3 months of MTX monotherapy using uni-/multivariate logistic regression. Primary outcome was low disease activity (LDA; DAS28 ≤ 3.2). Results. Of 298 patients, 104 achieved LDA after 3 months on MTX. Four of the 12 biomarkers [C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, tumor necrosis factor receptor I (TNF-RI), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1)] significantly predicted LDA based on stepwise logistic regression analysis. Dichotomization of patients using receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis-based cutoffs for these biomarkers showed significantly higher proportions with LDA among patients with lower versus higher levels of CRP or leptin (40% vs 23%, p = 0.004, and 40% vs 25%, p = 0.011, respectively), as well as among those with higher versus lower levels of TNF-RI or VCAM-1 (43% vs 27%, p = 0.004, and 41% vs 25%, p = 0.004, respectively). Combined score based on these biomarkers, adjusted for known predictors of LDA (smoking, sex, and age), associated with decreased chance of LDA (adjusted OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.32–0.62). Conclusion. Low baseline levels of CRP and leptin, and high baseline levels of TNF-RI and VCAM-1 were associated with LDA after 3 months of MTX therapy in patients with eRA. Combination of these 4 biomarkers increased accuracy of prediction.
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- Hedenstierna, Louise, et al.
(author)
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Neither low social support nor low decision latitude at work is associated with disease remission among patients with rheumatoid arthritis : results from the Swedish EIRA study
- 2022
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In: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : BioMed Central. - 1478-6362. ; 24:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between psychosocial vulnerability, defined as either low social support or low decision latitude at work, and disease remission at 3, 12, and 60 months in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).METHODS: This cohort study included all patients enrolled in both the Swedish Epidemiological Investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis (EIRA) 1996-2015 and the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register (SRQ, n = 2820). Information on social support and decision latitude at work at RA diagnosis were identified from the EIRA questionnaire. Indexes for levels of social support and decision latitude at work, respectively, were calculated based on the questionnaire. Low social support and low decision latitude at work, respectively, were identified by a score in the lowest quartile and compared with the three other quartiles (not low). Disease-activity parameters were retrieved from SRQ at 3, 12, and 60 months. The associations between social support or decision latitude at work, respectively, and Disease Activity Score 28 joint count with C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) remission were analysed using logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, smoking habits, alcohol habits, symptom duration, and educational level.RESULTS: Having low social support (n = 591) was not associated with DAS28-CRP remission at 3 (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.74-1.16), 12 (OR 0.96, 95%CI 0.75-1.23), or 60 (OR 0.89, 95%CI 0.72-1.10) months compared to not low social support (n = 2209). No association was observed for low (n = 212) versus not low (n = 635) decision latitude at work and DAS28-CRP remission at 3 (OR 0.84, 95%CI 0.54-1.31), 12 (OR 0.81, 95%CI 0.56-1.16), or 60 (OR 1.37, 95%CI 0.94-2.01) months.CONCLUSION: In a country with general access to healthcare, psychosocial vulnerability does not influence the likelihood of achieving remission in early RA.
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- Kastbom, Alf, et al.
(author)
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Changes in the anticitrullinated peptide antibody response in relation to therapeutic outcome in early rheumatoid arthritis: results from the SWEFOT trial
- 2016
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In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 75:2, s. 356-361
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To determine the relationship between changes in antibody levels towards citrullinated peptides derived from different candidate autoantigens and therapeutic outcome in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Baseline and 3-month serum samples from 316 patients with early RA enrolled in the Swedish Farmacotherapy (SWEFOT) trial were analysed for antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP) and citrullinated peptides derived from vimentin (cVim), fibrinogen (cFib) and a-enolase (CEP-1). At 3-month follow-up, methotrexate monotherapy-inadequate responders were randomised to add-on therapy with sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine or infliximab. In these patients, anticitrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) were also assessed at 12 and 24 months. The proportion of antibody-positive patients and relative changes in antibody levels were compared across ACPA specificities and related to therapeutic response and radiographic progression. Results During the 2-year follow-up, the proportion of patients testing positive declined significantly regarding antibodies to cVim, cFib and CEP-1, while anti-CCP antibody occurrence remained stable over time. Turning anti-cVim antibody negative was most common, and anti-cVim antibody seroreversion during the first three months associated with significantly less 2-year radiographic progression compared with patients who remained positive. Median antibody levels of all tested ACPAs declined uniformly during initial methotrexate therapy and following response to add-on therapy, with no significant relation to treatment regimen or radiographic progression. Conclusions The influence of early antirheumatic therapy on ACPA seroreversions was markedly different across specificities, and early disappearance of anti-cVim antibodies associated with better radiological outcome. Thus, these data suggest that the disappearance of particular ACPA reactivities may be beneficial in early RA.
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- Kastbom, Alf, et al.
(author)
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Influence of FCGR3A genotype on the therapeutic response to rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis : an observational cohort study
- 2012
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In: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 2:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives To determine whether a polymorphism in the Fcγ receptor type IIIA (FCGR3A-F158V), influencing immunoglobulin G binding affinity, relates to the therapeutic efficacy of rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.Design Observational cohort study.Setting Three university hospital rheumatology units in Sweden.Participants Patients with established RA (n=177; 145 females and 32 males) who started rituximab (Mabthera) as part of routine care.Primary outcome measures Response to rituximab therapy in relation to FCGR3A genotype, including stratification for sex.Results The frequency of responders differed significantly across FCGR3A genotypes (p=0.017 in a 3×2 contingency table). Heterozygous patients showed the highest response rate at 83%, as compared with patients carrying 158FF (68%) or 158VV (56%) (p=0.028 and 0.016, respectively). Among 158VV patients, response rates differed between male and female patients (p=0.036), but not among 158FF or 158VF patients (p=0.72 and 0.46, respectively).Conclusions Therapeutic efficacy of rituximab in RA patients is influenced by FCGR3A genotype, with the highest response rates found among heterozygous patients. This may suggest that different rituximab mechanisms of action in RA are optimally balanced in FCGR3A-158VF patients. Similar to the previously described associations with RA susceptibility and disease course, the impact of 158VV on rituximab response may be influenced by sex.
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- Kristjánsdóttir, Helga, 1966-, et al.
(author)
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Association of three systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility factors, PD-1.3A, C4AQ0, and low levels of mannan-binding lectin, with autoimmune manifestations in Icelandic multicase systemic lupus erythematosus families
- 2008
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In: Arthritis and Rheumatism. - : Wiley. - 0004-3591 .- 1529-0131. ; 58:12, s. 3865-3872
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To study autoimmune diseases and autoantibodies in Icelandic multicase systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) families and to determine the association of 3 SLE susceptibility factors, PD-1.3A, C4AQ0, and low levels of mannan-binding lectin (MBL), with autoimmune disease in this population. Methods: Eight SLE multicase families were studied, comprising a total of 124 family members (23 patients with SLE and 101 relatives). The diagnosis of an autoimmune disease was established and autoantibodies were measured in each family. In addition, PD-1.3A alleles were genotyped, and C4AQ0 allotypes were established by electrophoresis and haplotype analysis. Low levels of MBL were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and variant-allele genotyping. Results: In the SLE multicase families there was a high frequency of other autoimmune diseases (32.2%) and a high frequency of autoantibodies (53.2%). Of all family members, 59.7% were determined to have SLE, other autoimmune diseases, antinuclear antibodies, and/or other autoantibodies. The families showed genetic heterogeneity for PD-1.3A, C4AQ0, and low MBL levels; the frequency of each factor ranged from 0% to 85%. The frequencies of PD-1.3A and C4AQ0 were significantly increased in patients with SLE, relatives with other autoimmune diseases, and non-autoimmune disease relatives compared with controls. In the 7 families whose members had low levels of MBL, this factor was significantly associated with SLE, but the frequency of low MBL was decreased in relatives with other autoimmune diseases as compared with non-autoimmune disease relatives and controls. There were indications of an additive effect, and 91% of patients with SLE, 78% of relatives with other autoimmune diseases, and 75% of non-autoimmune disease relatives carried at least 1 of the 3 factors. Conclusion: These results demonstrate a high frequency of autoimmune diseases and autoantibodies in SLE multicase families. PD-1.3A and C4AQ0 are part of a predisposing genetic background. Other genetic and/or environmental factors are necessary for disease expression, demonstrated by a high frequency of PD-1.3A and C4AQ0 in non-autoimmune disease relatives. Low MBL levels may be one such contributing factor. The results of this study provide an example of epistatic genetic effects and overlapping genetics in autoimmune diseases.
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