Elevated levels of plasma collagen priple helix repeat-containing (CTHRC1) protein correlates with increased granul ocytopoiesis and higher rheumatoid arthritis disease severity score

Abstract

Monitoring and suppressing activity of the pathological granulating pannus tissue is essential for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) management. Synovial joints pain and tissue destruction is a derivative of the pannus activity. In a mouse model for RAwe found CTHRC1, a secreted and circulating protein, to be inducible in arthritis and correlated with the disease severity. We performed a clinical investigation to ascertain the role of CTHRC1 in the progression of the disease.