OBJECTIVES: To investigate joint involvement in SSc and its relationship with autoantibody to the hnRNP and to anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP). METHODS: Sera from 55 SSc patients were investigated. Joint involvement was determined by clinical, radiological and ultrasonographical evaluation. Anti-hnRNP proteins A1 and A2 (anti-hnRNP-A1/A2) antibodies were determined by immunoblotting. Anti-CCP, ACA, anti-topo I (ATA), Sm, U1-RNP, ribosomal RNP, Ro/SSA, La/SSB autoantibody and RF were determined. RESULTS: Six patients were positive for anti-hnRNP-A2 autoantibody and two were anti-A1 positive. Eight patients had joint erosions: seven of the eight patients positive for anti-hnRNP-A2 or A1 presented articular involvement (P < 0.04) and five of the eight erosive patients were positive for either of the two autoantibodies (P < 0.02). Of the four patients positive for anti-CCP, none had anti-hnRNP but three had erosive aspects. ATAs were found in 10 patients, six of which were also positive for anti-hnRNP (P < 0.05). RF was positive in 16 patients and in seven among those with articular involvement (P < 0.04). RF was significantly associated with anti-hnRNP in patients with erosive arthritis (P < 0.02), but not with the presence of anti-hnRNP alone. Epitope mapping of the three strongest anti-hnRNP-A2-positive sera recognized the same major epitope as patients with RA. SSc patients have higher incidence of erosions and anti-hnRNP-A2/A1 positivity. RF test and anti-hnRNP had a statistically significant diagnostic value for articular involvement. CONCLUSIONS: These parameters might suggest that autoantibody to both hnRNP antigens might become a non-specific but useful marker for joint involvement in SSc patients and identify SSc patients prone to develop joint damage.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate joint involvement in SSc and its relationship with autoantibody to the hnRNP and to anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP). METHODS: Sera from 55 SSc patients were investigated. Joint involvement was determined by clinical, radiological and ultrasonographical evaluation. Anti-hnRNP proteins A1 and A2 (anti-hnRNP-A1/A2) antibodies were determined by immunoblotting. Anti-CCP, ACA, anti-topo I (ATA), Sm, U1-RNP, ribosomal RNP, Ro/SSA, La/SSB autoantibody and RF were determined. RESULTS: Six patients were positive for anti-hnRNP-A2 autoantibody and two were anti-A1 positive. Eight patients had joint erosions: seven of the eight patients positive for anti-hnRNP-A2 or A1 presented articular involvement (P < 0.04) and five of the eight erosive patients were positive for either of the two autoantibodies (P < 0.02). Of the four patients positive for anti-CCP, none had anti-hnRNP but three had erosive aspects. ATAs were found in 10 patients, six of which were also positive for anti-hnRNP (P < 0.05). RF was positive in 16 patients and in seven among those with articular involvement (P < 0.04). RF was significantly associated with anti-hnRNP in patients with erosive arthritis (P < 0.02), but not with the presence of anti-hnRNP alone. Epitope mapping of the three strongest anti-hnRNP-A2-positive sera recognized the same major epitope as patients with RA. SSc patients have higher incidence of erosions and anti-hnRNP-A2/A1 positivity. RF test and anti-hnRNP had a statistically significant diagnostic value for articular involvement. CONCLUSIONS: These parameters might suggest that autoantibody to both hnRNP antigens might become a non-specific but useful marker for joint involvement in SSc patients and identify SSc patients prone to develop joint damage.
Authors: Anat Scheiman-Elazary; Veena K Ranganath; Ami Ben-Artzi; Suzanne Kafaja; Nabeel H Borazan; Thasia Woodworth; Lewei Duan; David Elashoff; Philip Clements; Daniel E Furst Journal: J Scleroderma Relat Disord Date: 2018-06-06
Authors: F Nacci; A Righi; M L Conforti; I Miniati; G Fiori; D Martinovic; D Melchiorre; T Sapir; M Blank; Y Shoenfeld; A Moggi Pignone; M Matucci Cerinic Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2007-03-07 Impact factor: 19.103