Purpose Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) are probably involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. During the course of disease epitope spreading might occur. In this study, the ACPA repertoire of arthralgia patients and the association with arthritis development were studied. Methods 244 arthralgia patients positive for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (aCCP) and/or IgM rheumatoid factor, without clinical symptoms of arthritis were included. Arthritis was defi ned as the presence of one or more swollen joints at clinical examination during twice-yearly follow-up. Sera were tested at baseline for reactivity to fi ve citrullinated peptides derived from fi brinogen (three), vimentin (one) and α-enolase (one) and the fi ve corresponding arginine peptides in an ELISA. Results 65 patients (27%) developed arthritis in a median of two joints after a median follow-up of 10 (IQR: 4-18) months. Reactivity to each peptide was signifi cantly associated with arthritis development (p<0.01). The peptide reactivity pattern did not differ between patients who did or did not develop arthritis. Within aCCP positive patients, patients who recognised two or more additional citrullinated peptides developed arthritis more often (p=0.05). The number of recognised peptides was positively associated with the aCCP level (p<0.001). Cross-reactivity between different peptides was minimal. Conclusion The ACPA repertoire in arthralgia patients can already be expanded. High aCCP levels are associated with a qualitatively broad ACPA response. Patients with a broader ACPA response have higher risk of developing arthritis. This indicates that epitope spreading occurs in arthralgia patients and might be initiated before onset of joint complaints.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract