Rheumatology Medical News about systemic sclerosis with joint involvement;anti-hnRNP;autoantibodies

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Anti-hnRNP and other autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis with joint involvement
Rheumatology, 06/03/09

Generini S et al. – Findings suggest that autoantibody to both hnRNP antigens (A1 and A2) might become a non-specific but useful marker for joint involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and identify those prone to develop joint damage.

Methods

An investigation of joint involvement in SSc and its relationship with autoantibody to the hnRNP and to anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP)
Sera from 55 SSc pts were investigated
Joint involvement was determined by clinical, radiological and ultrasonographical evaluation
Anti-hnRNP proteins A1 and A2 Abs were determined by immunoblotting
Anti-CCP, ACA, anti-topo I (ATA), Sm, U1-RNP, ribosomal RNP, Ro/SSA, La/SSB autoantibody and RF were determined

Results

6 pts were positive for anti-hnRNP-A2; 2 for anti-A1
8 pts had joint erosions:
- 7/8 pts were positive for anti-hnRNP-A2 or A1 presented articular involvement and
- 5/8 of erosive pts were positive for either of the 2 Abs
Of the 4 pts positive for anti-CCP, none had anti-hnRNP but 3 had erosive aspects
ATAs were found in 10 pts, 6 of which were also positive for anti-hnRNP
RF was positive in 16 pts; 7 among those with articular involvement
RF was associated with anti-hnRNP in pts with erosive arthritis, but not with the presence of anti-hnRNP alone
Epitope mapping of the 3 strongest anti-hnRNP-A2-positive sera recognized the same major epitope as pts with RA
SSc pts had higher incidence of erosions and anti-hnRNP-A2/A1 positivity
RF test and anti-hnRNP had a significant diagnostic value for articular involvement