In rheumatoid arthritis patients, total IgA1 and IgA2 levels are elevated: implications for the mucosal origin hypothesis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Mucosal initiated immune responses may be involved in the pathophysiology of RA. The most abundant immunoglobulin at mucosal surfaces is IgA, of which two subclasses exist: IgA1 and IgA2. IgA2 is mainly present at mucosal sites and has been ascribed pro-inflammatory properties. As IgA subclasses might provide insights into mucosal involvement and pro-inflammatory mechanisms, we investigated IgA responses in sera of RA patients.

Methods

In two cohorts of RA patients, the EAC and IMPROVED, total IgA1 and IgA2 were measured by ELISA. Furthermore, IgA subclass levels of RF and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (anti-CCP2) were determined. The association of these IgA subclass levels with CRP and smoking was investigated.

Results

Total IgA1 and IgA2 were incr

SUBMITTER: Derksen VFAM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9788813 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature