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Circulating microparticles remain associated with complement activation despite intensive anti-inflammatory therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis
Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, 11/23/09

van Eijk IC et al. – Circulating MP exposing complement components or activator molecules are elevated in early RA. Since a strong anti-inflammatory therapy suppressed inflammation in early RA patients but not levels of circulating MP, it is unlikely that inflammation is the main underlying cause of MP release in these patients.

Methods

RA patients (n=24) and controls (n=15) included
9 RA patients re-evaluated after 8 weeks of intensive treatment with combination of drugs (COBRA-scheme)
Disease activity measured by ESR, CRP and disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28)
Flow cytometry used to study MP and exposure of complement activator molecules and complement components

Results

At baseline, concentrations of MP exposing C1q, CRP or SAP all significantly elevated in early RA patients compared to controls
Upon treatment, DAS28, ESR and CRP significantly decreased , but concentrations of circulating MP and MP exposing complement components or activator molecules unaffected

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