Interferon regulatory factor 5 gene variants rs2004640 and rs4728142 are associated with carotid intima media thickness but not with cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) gene polymorphisms rs2004640 and rs4728142 have been associated with autoimmune diseases, but also with atherosclerosis. Differences in IRF5 gene expression can lead to the production of different interferons and might play a role in the atherogenic process in RA.

A multi-parameter response prediction model for rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To validate the IFN response gene (IRG) set for the prediction of non-response to rituximab in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and assess the predictive performance upon combination of this gene set with clinical parameters.

Methods: In two independent cohorts of 93 (cohort I) and 133 (cohort II) rituximab-starting RA patients, baseline peripheral blood expression of eight IRGs was determined, and averaged into an IFN score. Predictive performance of IFN score and clinical parameters was assessed by logistic regression.

Type I interferon response gene expression in established rheumatoid arthritis is not associated with clinical parameters.

Background: A peripheral blood interferon (IFN) signature (i.e., elevated type I interferon response gene [IRG] expression) has been described in a subset of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets during arthritis development in arthralgia patients.

Background: Multiple lymphocyte subsets like T and B cells have been connected to joint infiltration and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Identification of leucocyte subsets that are dysregulated in arthritis development could provide insight into the aetiology of RA. This study aimed to investigate the composition of the peripheral blood components, i.