Persistence of Disease-Associated Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibody-Expressing Memory B Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis in Clinical Remission.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), autoreactive B cells are pathogenic drivers and sources of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) that are a diagnostic biomarker and predictor of worse long-term prognosis. Yet, the immunobiologic significance of persistent ACPA production at the cellular level is poorly understood. This study was undertaken to investigate the representation of ACPA-expressing switched-memory B cells in RA.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study of RA patients, we investigated the presence of continued defects in immune homeostasis as a function of disease activity. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a sensitive multiplex bead-based immunoassay, we characterized fine binding antibody specificities in sera, synovial fluid (SF), a

SUBMITTER: Pelzek AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5569882 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature