Transforming growth factor-beta is increased in sputum from individuals with rheumatoid arthritis-associated pulmonary fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) develops in 5-10% of patients with RA and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly in those with a fibrotic phenotype. Yet, biomarkers to reliably identify RA patients with underlying pulmonary fibrosis are inadequate. Herein, we used sputum to identify lung-based biomarkers that distinguish RA patients with underlying pulmonary fibrosis and may better inform underlying pathogenesis in RA-ILD.

Methods

We included 37 RA patients with pulmonary fibrosis (RA-PF) and 30 RA patients without ILD (RA-no-ILD). Induced sputum and serum were tested for TGF-β levels by immunoassay. DNA was extracted to determine presence of the MUC5B ILD-risk allele ('T'). High-resolution CT (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs)

SUBMITTER: Wilson TM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12107045 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature