DNA Hypomethylation in the TNF-Alpha Gene Predicts Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification in Patients with Early Inflammatory Symptoms.

Unlabelled: Biomarkers for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and particularly for anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA)-negative patients, remain an important hurdle for the early initiation of treatment. Taking advantage of DNA-methylation patterns specific to early RA, quantitative methylation-specific qPCR (qMSP) offers a robust technology for the development of biomarkers. We developed assays and established their value as RA classification biomarkers.

Differential CpG DNA methylation in peripheral naïve CD4 T-cells in early rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Background: The genetic risk associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) includes genes regulating DNA methylation, one of the hallmarks of epigenetic re-programing, as well as many T-cell genes, with a strong MHC association, pointing to immunogenetic mechanisms as disease triggers leading to chronicity. The aim of our study was to explore DNA methylation in early, drug-naïve RA patients, towards a better understanding of early events in pathogenesis.

Result: Monocytes, naïve and memory CD4 T-cells were sorted from 6 healthy controls and 10 RA patients.

Serum IL-7 as diagnostic biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis, validation with EULAR 2010 classification criteria.

Objectives: Despite the well-established value of currently used classification criteria for the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) there is a constant demand for novel biomarkers notably in autoantibody-negative patients. Interleukin 7 (IL-7) has been reported as a candidate diagnostic biomarker based on ACR-1987 criteria. However, clinical practice has moved to using the EULAR 2010 classification criteria.