Affinity Maturation Drives Epitope Spreading and Generation of Proinflammatory Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by the presence of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs); nevertheless, the origin, specificity, and functional properties of ACPAs remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to characterize the evolution of ACPAs by sequencing the plasmablast antibody repertoire at serial time points in patients with established RA.

Methods

Blood samples were obtained at up to 4 serial time points from 8 individuals with established RA who were positive for ACPAs by the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide test. CD19+CD3-IgD-CD14-CD20-CD27+CD38++ plasmablasts were isolated by single-cell sorting and costained with citrullinated peptide tetramers to identify ACPA-expressing plasmablasts. Cell-specific oligonucleotide barcodes

SUBMITTER: Elliott SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6261684 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature