Soluble CD154 in rheumatoid arthritis: Elevated plasma levels in cases with vasculitis

Citation
N. Tamura et al., Soluble CD154 in rheumatoid arthritis: Elevated plasma levels in cases with vasculitis, J RHEUMATOL, 28(12), 2001, pp. 2583-2590
Citations number
50
Categorie Soggetti
Rheumatology,"da verificare
Journal title
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
ISSN journal
0315162X → ACNP
Volume
28
Issue
12
Year of publication
2001
Pages
2583 - 2590
Database
ISI
SICI code
0315-162X(200112)28:12<2583:SCIRAE>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
Objective. To determine the levels of soluble CD154 (sCD154) in the plasma of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and rheumatoid vasculitis (RV), and to examine the relationship between the levels of sCD154 in plasma and the clinical variables. Methods. Levels of sCD154 were quantified in 39 plasma samples from patient s with RA, including 9 patients who were also diagnosed with RV, and compar ed with those of 20 healthy subjects. An ELISA was established and specific ity of the ELISA was tested by control ELISA using isotype-matched IgG and preabsorption assay. The titers of IgM and IgG rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF, I gG-RF) for each patient were determined simultaneously, and values of other laboratory variables were also determined. Results. Levels of sCD154 in plasma were higher in patients with RA than in the healthy subjects (p < 0.02). Compared with RA patients without vasculi tis, patients with RV had significantly higher levels of sCD154 in their pl asma (p < 0.001). Control ELISA and absorption assay of sCD154 indicated th at our ELISA system was capable of measuring plasma sCD154 in RA patients. Levels of sCD154 in RA plasma correlated significantly with both IgM-RF and IgG-RF titers (r = 0.64 and 0.61, respectively, both p < 0.001). The level s of sCD154 decreased after commencement of treatment for vasculitis in cas es with RV. Conclusion. We identified the presence of sCD154 in RA plasma, with especia lly high levels in cases with vasculitis. Correlation between sCD154 and RF liters indicates the CD154-CD40 pathway is likely related to pathogenic RF production.