In Search Of Intraocular Biomarkers In Uveitis Associated With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (jia)

Abstract

Purpose: : To investigate the presence of specific protein profiles in aqueous humour (AH) from patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) associated uveitis.

Methods: : Totally 116 children participated in this study. Aqueous humor (AH) (n=73) and serum samples (n=105) were collected. The samples were analyzed using surface-enhanced laser desorption/Ionisation time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) technique. The samples were divided in the following 4 groups: definitive JIA; presumed JIA (not meeting the International League against Rheumatism criteria completely); other uveitis entities and non-inflammatory controls.

Results: : In the definitive JIA group significantly higher expression of five proteins was found compared with other uveitis entities and controls (6672; 8725; 13762; 22313; 33410 Da). Definitive JIA and presumed JIA samples showed comparable protein profiles in AH and did not differ in any of the peak cluster intensities. Expression of protein peaks in AH showed significant positive and negative bivariate correlations. Both definitive and presumed JIA samples could be distinguished from other uveitis entities and controls by the presence of 13762 Da protein and absence of 8255 Da protein in AH. Protein expression in AH of patients with JIA and suspect JIA uveitis was strongly associated with activity of inflammation.

Conclusions: : Our results suggest the presence of intraocular JIA-specific proteins which expression is correlated with activity of uveitis independently of definitive or presumed JIA status. This could indicate similar molecular intraocular processes in both groups of patients and support the hypothesis of an atypical manifestation of JIA with primary uveitis. Further identification of potential biomarkers should be performed.

Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • proteomics • aqueous