Circulatory cytokeratin 17, marginal zone B1 protein and leucine-rich α2-glycoprotein-1 as biomarkers for disease severity and fibrosis in systemic sclerosis patients

IntroductionSystemic sclerosis (Ssc) is a multiorgan debilitating autoimmune disease that associates the triad: vascular involvement, tissue fibrosis and profound immune response alterations. Numerous previous studies focused on identification of candidate proteomic Ssc biomarkers using mass-spectrometry techniques and a large number of candidate Ssc biomarkers emerged. These biomarkers must firstly be confirmed in independent patient groups. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of cytokeratin 17 (CK17), marginal zone B1 protein (MZB1) and leucine-rich α2-glycoprotein-1 (LRG1) with clinical and biological Ssc characteristics. Material and methodsSerum CK17, MZB1 and LRG1 were assessed in samples of the available Ssc biobank comprising of samples from 53 Ssc patients and 26 matched age and gender controls. ResultsCirculatory CK17, LRG1 and MZB1 concentrations were increased in Ssc patients. Cytokeratin 17 is independently associated with Ssc disease activity. Patients with pulmonary fibrosis expressed higher LRG1 and MZB1 concentrations. Serum MZB1 concentrations were also associated with extensive skin fibrosis. ConclusionsSerum CK17, MZB1 and LRG1 were confirmed biomarkers for Ssc. LRG1 seems a good biomarker for pulmonary fibrosis, while MZB1 is a good biomarker for extensive skin fibrosis. CK17 proved to be independently associated with Ssc disease severity, higher CK17 values being protective for a more active disease

IL-17 and Th17 cells in systemic sclerosis: a comprehensive review

T cells (especially T helper cells) seem to be strongly associated with systemic sclerosis pathogenesis. Th17-IL-17 axis was proved to be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases. By performing a comprehensive research of the literature indexed in PubMed database, the current review summarizes current knowledge related to Th17 and IL-17 in systemic sclerosis. While there is promising data suggesting inhibition of Tregulatory and Th1 signals on one hand and promotion of Th17 and Th2 signals on the other, studies that include prospective and integrated analysis of Tregulatory, Th17, Th1, Th2 (cells and derived cytokines) on the same cohort of Ssc patients are warranted

Candidate proteomic biomarkers in systemic sclerosis discovered using mass-spectrometry: an update of a systematic review (2014–2020)

Background. Systemic sclerosis (Ssc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by graduate cutaneous and tissue fibrosis development and irreversible fibroproliferative vascular changes

Systemic sclerosis biomarkers discovered using mass-spectrometry-based proteomics: a systematic review

<p><i>Context</i>: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with incompletely known physiopathology. There is a great challenge to predict its course and therapeutic response using biomarkers.</p> <p><i>Objective</i>: To critically review proteomic biomarkers discovered from biological specimens from systemic sclerosis patients using mass spectrometry technologies.</p> <p><i>Methods</i>: Medline and Embase databases were searched in February 2014.</p> <p><i>Results</i>: Out of the 199 records retrieved, a total of 20 records were included, identifying 116 candidate proteomic biomarkers.</p> <p><i>Conclusion</i>: Research in SSc proteomic biomarkers should focus on biomarker validation, as there are valuable mass-spectrometry proteomics studies in the literature.</p