| Autor: |
Gómara MJ; Unit of Synthesis and Biomedical Applications of Peptides, Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain., Sarmiento-Monroy JC; Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain., Castellanos-Moreira R; Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain., Gómez-Puerta JA; Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain., Sanmartí R; Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain., Haro I; Unit of Synthesis and Biomedical Applications of Peptides, Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain. |
| Abstrakt: |
With the aim of improving the uncertainties associated with the correct diagnosis of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and identifying those at risk of developing interstitial lung disease (ILD), we have designed new peptide antigens bearing three post-translational modifications (PTMs) (citrulline, homocitrulline and acetyl-lysine) related to RA that could complement existing tests based on anti-citrullinated peptide/protein antibodies (ACPAs). Several chimeric peptides were synthesized and comparatively tested as antigens in ELISAs with two cohorts of sera: 178 RAs and 110 healthy blood donors. The results indicated that although chimeric peptides containing all three PTMs and vimentin and enolase domains do not significantly outperform existing ACPA tests in terms of sensitivity and specificity, they show potential to complement current assays, especially when detecting antibodies in some seronegative patients. Furthermore, the presence of these autoantibodies significantly identified patients with RA and ILD. We can conclude that the identification of specific autoantibody profiles using synthetic antigens containing peptide domains derived from proteins present in the human joint could help in the early detection of the risk of ILD in patients with RA and be useful for adapting follow-up strategies and guiding decisions during treatment. |
