Identification of novel citrullinated antigen of RA, prospects for the pathogenesis of rheumamtoid arthritis and biomarkers

虽然抗瓜氨酸肽（ACPA）对类风湿关节炎（RA）具有特异性，但与RA相关的致病性瓜氨酸自身抗原仍有待阐明。在本研究中，我们已经证明了瓜氨酸化细胞纤连蛋白在RA滑液中的特异性存在，其可能参与RA的发病机制，在受影响的关节内形成免疫复合物。此外，我们证明了抗MCV（突变的瓜氨酸波形蛋白）抗体与压痛/肿胀关节数量的相关性，表明抗MCV抗体可能有助于监测RA疾病活动。

Although anti-citrullinated peptide (ACPA) is specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the pathogenic citrullinated autoantigen relevant for RA remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we have demonstrated the specific presence of citrullinated cellular fibronectin in RA synovial fluids, which could be involved in the pathogenesis of RA thorough formation of immune complexes within the affected joints. Additionally, we demonstrated the correlation of anti-MCV (mutated citrullinated vimentin) antibody with the number of tender/swollen joints, suggesting that anti-MCV antibody might be useful for monitoring RA disease activity.