Plasma mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as a possible contributor to and biomarker of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis
Main finding · Plasma mtDNA copy numbersResult — go to the resultFold increase 19.4Authors' conclusion
In contrast to nDNA, mtDNA is significantly elevated in the plasma of RA patients compared with HC. Regardless of RA activity, the abundance of circulating mtDNA is a sensitive discriminator between RA patients and HC.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy blood donors; plasma mtDNA and nuclear DNA (nDNA) copy numbers quantified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- Participants
- 106 vs 85
- Exposure
- RA patients vs healthy controls
- RAn = 106
- Healthy controls (HC)n = 85reference
- Outcome
- Plasma mtDNA copy numbers
Methodological detailssingle-centre, consecutive patients
- Single-centre
- Consecutive patients
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Fold increase
19.4
P < 0.0001
By group
RA
1.1 x108
median · copies/mL
HC
5.4 x106
median · copies/mL
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
mtDNA and disease activity
- mtDNA discriminated RA in remission (DAS28 <2.6) from HC
- P < 0.0001
- Correlation between mtDNA and ESR
- P = 0.006, R= 0.29
- mtDNA correlated significantly with DAS28-ESR and increased numerically with increasing DAS28-ESR and clinical disease activity index (CDAI) activity
Demographic, serological (rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA)) and treatment factors
- Not associated with DNA concentrations
nDNA
- Similar analyses showed no significance for nDNA
Original publication
Plasma mtDNA as a possible contributor to and biomarker of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 7 May 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →