Background Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a secretory acute phase protein which is produced and expressed in many immune cells especially macrophages, fibroblasts and endothelial cells at different inflammatory sites [1]. PTX3 is known to have an interesting role in regulation of innate immunity and it is a key player in regulation of many inflammatory reactions [2].
Objectives This study aimed to measure serum and synovial fluid (SF) levels of PTX3 in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients and to correlate them with different clinical, laboratory and musculoskeletal ultrasound parameters of disease activity.
Methods We measured PTX3 in the serum (n=57) and SF samples (n=18) from 57 JIA patients and in the serum from twenty healthy control. Disease activity was calculated using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score in 27 joints (JDAS27) and musculoskeletal ultrasound examination (MSUS) was performed using grey scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) 10-joint score (bilateral knee, ankle, wrist, elbow and the 2nd metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints)[3]; Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, serum ferritin, rheumatoid factor (RF) titre were measured and the Juvenile arthritis multidimensional assessment report (JAMAR) was documented.
Results Serum PTX3 level was significantly higher in JIA patients (3.59± 2.38 ng/mL) compared to serum level in the healthy controls (1.5 ± 0.9 ng/mL) (p |
