Exhaled Nitric Oxide Reflects the Immune Reactions of the Airways in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have altered levels of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) compared with healthy controls. Here, we investigated whether the clinical features of and immunological factors in RA pathogenesis could be linked to the NO lung dynamics in early disease. A total of 44 patients with early RA and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPAs), specified as cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 (CCP2), were included.

Serum calprotectin correlates stronger with inflammation and disease activity in ACPA positive than ACPA negative rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of serum and SF levels of the granulocyte protein calprotectin as an inflammatory biomarker in RA patients with knee synovitis.

Methods: Seventy-six RA patients with ongoing knee synovitis were included. Data on DAS with 28 joints and their subcomponents and radiological destruction of the affected knee were collected.

Exhaled nitric oxide in early rheumatoid arthritis and effects of methotrexate treatment.

Patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and disease modifying treatments have lower nitric oxide (NO) levels in the alveolar compartment (CNO) and in the airway wall (CNO), but also higher diffusion capacities for NO in the airways (DNO) compared to matched controls. The aim of the present study was to investigate the NO lung dynamics in patients with recent onset RA before and after immune suppression with methotrexate therapy. Patients with early RA and antibodies against anticitrullinated peptides (ACPA) were recruited.

Extramucosal Formation and Prognostic Value of Secretory Antibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To investigate levels and possible extramucosal formation of secretory Ig, including anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs), in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Three patient groups were studied: 1) ACPA-positive patients with musculoskeletal pain without clinical arthritis, 2) patients with recent-onset RA, and 3) patients with established RA. In baseline serum samples (groups 1 and 2) and paired synovial fluid samples (group 3), we analyzed total secretory IgA, total secretory IgM, free secretory component (SC), and SC-containing ACPA.