Anti-Carbamylated LL37 Antibodies Promote Pathogenic Bone Resorption in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Antibodies against carbamylated proteins (anti-CarP) are associated with poor prognosis and the development of bone erosions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA neutrophils externalize modified autoantigens through the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Increased levels of the cathelicidin LL37 have been documented in the synovium of RA patients, but the cellular source remains unclear. We sought to determine if post-translational modifications of LL37, specifically carbamylation, occur during NET formation, enhance this protein's autoantigenicity, and contribute to drive bone erosion in the synovial joint.

Methods

ELISA and Western blot analyses were used to identify carbamylated LL37 (carLL37) in biological samples. Anti-carLL37 antibodies were meas

SUBMITTER: O'Neil LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8477029 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature