The case for measuring antibodies to specific citrullinated antigens

Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2013 Dec;9(12):1185-92. doi: 10.1586/1744666X.2013.857274.

Abstract

Anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPA) are the principal autoantibody system associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with diagnostic sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 95%. Current testing for ACPA uses the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide assay (anti-CCP) which measures a generalized reactivity with citrulline-containing peptides, thus giving no insight into reactivity to specific RA antigens. Of these, the best characterized are, α-enolase, fibrinogen/fibrin, vimentin, Type 2 collagen and filaggrin, antibodies to each of which are found in approximately 30-60% of RA cases. Given reports of cross-reactivity between citrullinated antigens, we discuss whether or not measuring these specific antibodies could aid: clinical diagnosis, identification of clinical subsets and drug responses, or provide insight into pathogenic mechanisms or etiology of RA.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Autoantigens / chemistry
  • Autoantigens / immunology
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Biomarkers, Pharmacological / blood*
  • Citrulline / chemistry
  • Cross Reactions
  • Epitopes
  • Filaggrin Proteins
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Serology / methods*
  • Serology / trends

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Autoantigens
  • Biomarkers
  • Biomarkers, Pharmacological
  • Epitopes
  • FLG protein, human
  • Filaggrin Proteins
  • Citrulline