Anti-Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies Control Oral Porphyromonas and Aggregatibacter species in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Oral microbiome changes take place at the initiation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, questions remain regarding the oral microbiome at pre-RA stages in individuals with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA). Two cross-sectional cohorts were selected including 84 Tatarstan women (15 early-RA as compared to individuals with CSA ranging from CSA = 0 [n = 22], CSA = 1 [n = 19], CSA = 2 [n = 11], and CSA ≥ 3 [n = 17]) and 42 women with established RA (median: 5 years from diagnosis [IQ: 2–11]). Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) obtained from oral samples (16S rRNA) were analyzed for alpha and beta diversity along with the abundance at the genus level. A decrease in oral Porphyromonas sp. is observed in ACPA-positive individuals, and this predominates in early-RA patients as compared to non-RA individuals irrespective of their CSA score. In the RA-established cohort, Porphyromonas sp. and Aggregatibacter sp. reductions were associated with elevated ACPA levels. In contrast, no associations were reported when considering individual, genetic and clinical RA-associated factors. Oral microbiome changes related to the genera implicated in post-translational citrullination (Porphyromonas sp. and Aggregatibacter sp.) characterized RA patients with elevated ACPA levels, which supports that the role of ACPA in controlling the oral microbiome needs further evaluation.

At Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Stage, the Infectious Spectrum Is Driven by Non-Familial Factors and Anti-CCP Immunization

“…In other words, "RA" may arise as a consequence of a number of different pathways that differ according to the RA phenotypes and infections [7]. Fourth, the genetic and immunological status at RA onset may be important, such an assertion has been reinforced by our report showing that the oral microbiome is tightly controlled in RA patients with elevated anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (CCPs) [8].…”

Predictive risk factors before the onset of familial rheumatoid arthritis: the Tatarstan cohort study

“…In a previous study, 26 FDR women having developed RA were studied at different time points showing a relationship between joint symptoms and then susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infection events in 3 years preceding the RA onset ( 4 ). In this cohort, herpes simplex virus (HSV) reactivation and oral microbiome changes also characterize the familial RA onset ( 5 , 6 ). To proceed further with the analysis of this cohort, 144 RA patients with a familial RA history were included when a rheumatological evaluation and information regarding socio-demographic and individual behavior factors were recorded at least 2 years before the RA onset.…”

The Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis Breakthroughs in Molecular Mechanisms 1 and 2

“…Oral microbiome changes take place at the initiation of RA. Arleevskaya M et al [ 13 ] reported that anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies control periodontal bacteria such as oral porpyromonas and aggregatibacter species in patients with RA. In the RA-established cohort, porpyromonas sp.…”