title: What do biomarkers tell us about the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis?
abstract: Biomarkers may provide information that promotes understanding of prognosis, disease activity, and pathogenesis in ankylosing spondylitis. Biomarkers reflecting disease activity (metallo-proteinase-3) and inflammatory lesions on magnetic resonance imaging predict new bone formation and are ameliorated by anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy, yet this treatment may not prevent new bone formation. Moreover, elevated levels of biomarkers reflecting tissue repair (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase) post-treatment together with magnetic resonance imaging indicates such treatment may even promote repair through new bone formation. Tumor necrosis factor regulation of Dickkopf-1 may constitute a molecular brake that controls osteoblastogenesis through wingless and bone morphogenetic proteins in an established inflammatory lesion in ankylosing spondylitis.
authors.forename: Walter P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Maksymowych
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000097:blood; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D000068879:Adalimumab