Expression of the CXCL4 and CXCL7 chemokines seems to be increased in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, according to Dr. Lorraine Yeo of the University of Birmingham, England, and her associates.

Compared to patients in the non-inflamed control group, those with early RA had significantly higher mRNA levels of the CXCL4 and CXCL7 chemokines. Protein expression of the two chemokines was also much higher in patients with early RA compared to those whose arthritis was resolving or had long established RA. Significantly elevated extravascular CXCL7 levels were also present in early RA patients.

“It will be important to investigate whether the production of CXCL4 and CXCL7 observed in the synovium in early RA is reflected by elevated levels in plasma samples. Future use of these chemokines as biomarkers for prediction of progression to RA will depend on replication in other independent cohorts,” the investigators concluded.Find the full study in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-206921).

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