Predicting disease course in ulcerative colitis using stool proteins identified through an aptamer-based screen.

In the search for improved stool biomarkers for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an aptamer-based screen of 1129 stool proteins was conducted using stool samples from an IBD cohort. Here we report that of the 20 proteins subsequently validated by ELISA, stool Ferritin, Fibrinogen, Haptoglobin, Hemoglobin, Lipocalin-2, MMP-12, MMP-9, Myeloperoxidase, PGRP-S, Properdin, Resistin, Serpin A4, and TIMP-1 are significantly elevated in both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) compared to controls. When tested in a longitudinal cohort of 50 UC patients at 4 time-points, fecal Fibrinogen, MMP-8, PGRP-S, and TIMP-2 show the strongest positive correlation with concurrent PUCAI and PGA scores and are superior to fecal calprotectin.

Axl, Ferritin, Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2, and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Type II as Biomarkers in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of 4 serum protein markers for detecting concurrent clinical activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Consecutive patients who fulfilled ≥4 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for SLE and healthy controls were recruited for serologic testing of 4 protein markers identified by antibody-coated microarray screen, namely Axl, ferritin, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2), and tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNFRII). SLE disease activity was assessed by the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and physician's global assessment (PGA).