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Anti-CCP hs (high sensitive)®: a new biomarker for the serological diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis

ACPA for RA diagnosticsTimely diagnosis is of critical importance to the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because the rapid implementation of intensive treatment can inhibit damage to the joints and maintain function. In conjunction with medical history, clinical examination, and imaging procedures, serological tests form the foundation for an early diagnosis.

In addition to rheumatoid factors, autoantibodies against citrullinated antigens (ACPA) have proven to be valuable tools for the serological diagnosis of early RA. They have become a critical component of the new 2010 ACR criteria for the classification of RA, and account for three of the six points required to verify a diagnosis of RA.

Anti-CCP hs (high sensitive)® – higher sensitivity, earlier diagnosis, successful treatment

The new Anti-CCP hs (high sensitive)® test from ORGENTEC Diagnostika is the most recent addition to the ACPA family. It combines the many advantages of the detection of autoantibodies against the native autoantigen, mutated citrullinated vimentin (MCV), which have been demonstrated in many publications, with the strengths of modern peptide synthesis. Anti-CCP hs (high sensitive)® is based on specific optimized peptide epitopes from the body’s own MCV protein. This tailored antigen profile gives the test the highest sensitivity while maintaining high specificity. It is positioned as an effective tool for rapid and precise routine diagnosis and favours the rapid selection and implementation of treatment.

Anti-MCV – diagnosis and differentiation

The target antigen MCV, produced by the body, is found in the synovial tissues and synovial fluid of RA patients. MCV plays a central role in the pathogenesis of RA and is involved in the initiation of ACPA production. MCV antibodies correlate with an erosive course of disease with severe joint damage, extra-articular manifestations, and cardiovascular symptoms. A correlation between disease activity and stratification of RA with ACPA has thus far only been proven for Anti-MCV antibodies.

 

Sources:

H. Bang, K. Egerer, A. Gauliard, K. Luthke, P. E. Rudolph, G. Fredenhagen, W. Berg, E. Feist, and G. R. Burmester. Mutation and citrullination modifies vimentin to a novel autoantigen for rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 56 (8):2503-2511, 2007  (Link to full text article)

D. Coenen, P. Verschueren, R. Westhovens, and X. Bossuyt. Technical and diagnostic performance of 6 assays for the measurement of citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Clin.Chem. 53 (3):498-504, 2007. (Link to full text article)

S. W. Syversen, G. L. Goll, D. van der Heijde, R. Landewe, B. A. Lie, S. Odegard, T. Uhlig, P. I. Gaarder, and T. K. Kvien. Prediction of radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis and the role of antibodies against mutated citrullinated vimentin: results from a ten-year prospective study. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 69 (2):345-351, 2009 (Link to abstract on journal homepage)

El-Barbary, A.M. et al. Association of Anti-Modified Citrullinated Vimentin with Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Compared with Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide J. Rheumatology  138 (5) 828-834 2011  (Link to abstract on journal homepage);

Read an extract of the article by El-Barbary et al.

The discovery of ACPAs and the biology of citrullination have  led to important advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology and development of RA.  Going forward, research into autoimmunity to citrullinated proteins may help identify the specific etiology of RA and provide approaches for the prediction of future risk of disease, and ultimately prevention of RA.

2 Comments

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  1. shahenshah haider

    hi,

    Why it is more sensitive than Anti CCP-II or Anti CCP III

    1. Friederike Hammar

      Thank you for your interest in our blog, and for leaving a comment on this post.

      ORGENTEC’s Anti-CCP hs (high sensitive)® is a result of our intensive research on anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPA), leading to the identification of their natural target antigen, mutated citrullinated vimentin (MCV). This protein, as well as Anti-MCV antibodies have been found in synovial tissue and synovial fluid of RA patients. Most likely, they are involved in disease pathogenesis.

      Common anti-CCP II and anti-CCP III assays use cyclic synthetic peptides for the detection of RA-specific autoantibodies. In contrast to that, ORGENTEC’s Anti-CCP® hs (high sensitive)® is based on selected specific optimized epitopes chosen from the body’s own autoantigen, mutated citrullinated vimentin. This tailored antigen profile reflects the actual physiological situation, leading to enhanced autoantibody recognition and highest sensitivity of ORGENTEC’s Anti-CCP hs (high sensitive)®.

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