Alloimmune Response to Citrullinated Shared Epitope Sequence in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

NCT03506035 · Status: UNKNOWN · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 200

Last updated 2018-04-23

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and sistemic disease,characterized by joint sinovitis and the production of autoantibodies (Ab). The Ab against citrullinated peptides (ACPA) are the most specific (92-98%), and high sensitivity (75-81%) and they are of prognostic value. ACPA are already in the beginning of the disease in most cases, having been found years before its onset. Recent studies have suggested that ACPA may have a role in perpetuating inflammation, in the generation of bone erosions and in pain in RA.

Citrullination is a post-translational modification mediated by the PAD, which transforms an arginine into a citrulline. In vivo, this enzyme acts in proinflammatory environments. Despite being widely studied, none of the natural citrullinated substrates have been shown to be the triggering and/or perpetuating factor in the response of B cells in RA, understanding this response as the production of ACPA. In fact, the most specific and sensitive commercial test for the detection of ACPA uses synthetic peptides protected by a patent.

In the other hand, the genetic factor that most increases susceptibility to develop RA is a shared sequence of aminoacids (QKRAA, QRRAA i RRRAA), in the HLA-DRB1 gene, known as the shared epitope (SE). Also, SE, confers prognostic value, and is associated with the presence of ACPA. These SE sequences contain arginines (R), which are susceptible to be citrullinated by the PAD enzyme.

We propose the hypothesis that citrullinated SE act as an antigen capable of activating the inflammatory response mediated by B and T cells in RA. The recognition of an HLA as a foreign one, would originate an answer of alloimmune type, not valued to date.

The objective of the study is to test the immune response mediated by B cells and T cells, in cases and control samples, through an in vitro model that confronts them with peptides containing the citrullinated-SE sequence. In addition, we will evaluate the association between these results with the clinical features of cases (RA included in the study). Their role as a biomarker, as well as their potential to improve the tests currently available to detect ACPA will be explored.

Conditions

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Research new biomarker for RA

Analyze T and B cell response against new citrullinated peptides

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Corporacion Parc Tauli

    lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
75 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2018-09-01
Primary Completion
2019-09-01
Completion
2020-09-01

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This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03506035 on ClinicalTrials.gov