Serum human cartilage glycoprotein-39 in patients with systemic sclerosis: relationship to skin and articular manifestation.

Human cartilage glycoprotein-39 (HC gp-30) is a secretory protein of several types of cells including chondrocytes. It has been suggested to be a laboratory index of joint damage. Thirty-two patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 22 age-matched controls were investigated. An increased serum HC gp-39 level was shown in SSc patients and was found to correlate with inflammatory indices. There was no correlation with modified Rodnan score, joint involvement, or duration of symptoms of SSc. The obtained results indicate for possible relationship of HCgp-39 to inflammation but do not suggest determination of HC gp-39 as clinically applicable index of articular involvement in SSc patients.