Arthritis research & therapy
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · Jan 2019
IgG4:IgG RNA ratio differentiates active disease from remission in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a new disease activity marker? A cross-sectional and longitudinal study.
An important limitation in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is the lack of disease activity markers. Immunoglobulin G4-positive (IgG4+) B cells and plasma cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of GPA. We hypothesized that the presence of these cells in peripheral blood could serve as disease activity parameter in GPA. ⋯ The IgG4:IgG RNA ratio in GPA accurately distinguishes active disease from remission and correlates well with disease activity in these single-center studies. If these results are confirmed in larger longitudinal studies, this test might help to steer treatment decisions in patients with GPA.
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Arthritis Res. Ther. · Jan 2019
Elevated plasma level of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 is associated with inflammation activity and is a potential biomarker of thrombosis in primary antiphospholipid syndrome.
Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) is an innate-immune receptor found in blood. Its presence reflects innate immune cell activation. We sought to investigate plasma sTREM-1 levels in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS). ⋯ Plasma sTREM-1 levels are significantly elevated in patients with thrombotic PAPS. Levels of sTREM-1 might serve as a biomarker for thrombosis in patients with PAPS.