Independence of carbohydrate-deficient isoforms of transferrin and cyclic citrullinated peptides in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the two types of posttranslational modifications of proteins in RA: glycosylation on the example of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin and citrullination by means of autoantibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides.

METHODS

The study was carried out in 50 RA patients. CDT was measured using N Latex CDT immunonephelometric test, the results were presented in absolute and relative units. Anti-CCP were measured using the chemiluminescent method and rheumatoid factor by immunoturbidimetric method.

RESULTS

80% of RA patients were positive for anti-CCP, 70% for RF and 62% for both, anti-CCP and RF. The level of %CDT was significantly elevated, but absolute CDT level was not changed. The mean absolute CDT concentration was higher in anti-CCP positive patients than that in anti-CCP negative. CDT (absolute and relative concentration) did not correlate with anti-CCP and RF. However, serum RF significantly correlated with anti-CCP. %CDT did not correlate with anti-CCP, but absolute level correlated with anti-CCP only in anti-CCP negative and RF negative patients. CDT did not correlate with RF, but solely with anti-CCP in anti-CCP negative patients. Anti-CCP correlated with DAS 28 only in anti-CCP negative RA, but CDT (absolute and relative units) correlated with DAS 28 in all patients and in anti-CCP positive RA.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the changes in CDT and anti-CCP concentrations are not associated with oneself and indicate on the independence of these posttranslational modifications in rheumatoid arthritis. Only the alterations in transferrin glycosylation reflected the activity of RA.