Next-generation rheumatoid factor assay provides improved predictive power for the development of arthritis in patients at risk.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by the presence of autoantibodies, among which those targeting the constant region of immunoglobulin G (IgG), called rheumatoid factors (RF). Despite this link, RFs can also be found in other disorders and the healthy population, which hampers its use as a diagnostic tool. We recently showed that a subset of RA-derived RFs target a distinct epitope on the IgG-Fc, a feature that is currently not used in the clinic.

Methods

We determined immunoglobulin M (IgM)-RF levels specific against an RA-associated epitope (using our engineered next-generation RF antigen 'T3-17') in a prospective cohort of 475 patients with seropositive (for IgM-RF or aCCP) arthralgia that were followed for 5 years or until the development of arthritis.

SUBMITTER: Oskam N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11337662 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature