Abstract | INTRODUCTION: This study assesses the accuracy of neutrophil activation markers, including neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and calprotectin, as biomarkers of disease activity in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We also analyse the relationship between NETs and various types of therapies as well as their association with autoimmunity. METHODS: RESULTS: One hundred fourteen patients were included. Two control groups were included to compare NET levels. The active control group consisted of 15 patients. The second control group consisted of 30 healthy subjects. Plasma NET levels did not correlate with clinical disease status, regardless of the clinic index analysed or the biological therapy administered. No significant correlation was observed between NET remnants and ultrasound synovitis. There was no correlation between plasma NET and autoantibodies. In contrast, plasma calprotectin positively correlated with clinical parameters (swollen joint count [SJC] rho = 0.49; P < 0.001, Clinical Disease Activity Index [CDAI] rho = 0.30; P < 0.001) and ultrasound parameters (rho > 0.50; P < 0.001). Notably, this correlation was stronger than that observed with acute phase reactants. CONCLUSION: While NET formation induced by neutrophils may play a role in RA pathogenesis, our study raises questions about the utility of NET remnants in peripheral circulation as a biomarker for inflammatory activity. In contrast, this study strongly supports the usefulness of calprotectin as a biomarker of inflammatory activity in patients with RA.
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Authors | Beatriz Frade-Sosa, Andrés Ponce, Estíbaliz Ruiz-Ortiz, Noemí De Moner, María J Gómara, Ana Belén Azuaga, Juan C Sarmiento-Monroy, Rosa Morlà, Virginia Ruiz-Esquide, Laura Macías, Nuria Sapena, Lola Tobalina, Julio Ramirez, Juan D Cañete, Jordi Yague, Josep M Auge, José A Gomez-Puerta, Odette Viñas, Isabel Haro, Raimon Sanmarti |
Journal | Rheumatology and therapy
(Rheumatol Ther)
(Mar 02 2024)
ISSN: 2198-6576 [Print] England |
PMID | 38430455
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2024. The Author(s). |