title: Diagnosis and assessment of Takayasu arteritis by multiple biomarkers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) often show recurrence under steroid treatment without an elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP). There is a report that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-3, MMP-9 and pentraxin3 (PTX3) could be sensitive biomarkers, but the characteristics of these biomarkers have not been established.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We enrolled 45 consecutive patients; 28 were grouped in an active phase as evidenced by clinical recurrence within 2 years of blood sampling. Circulating levels of high-sensitivity (hs)CRP, MMPs, and PTX3 were determined. Patients in an active phase showed higher levels of hsCRP, MMP-9, and PTX3. Area under the receiving operating characteristics curves of hsCRP and PTX3 were significantly higher than that of MMP-9. Among the 28 patients with active TA, 71% was positive for hsCRP and 82% for PTX3. Patients without recurrence showed significantly higher plasma levels of MMP-9. There was a positive correlation between the plasma MMP-3 level and the prednisolone dose. However, PTX3 and MMP-9 levels did not have such a correlation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PTX3 and MMP-9, which are not affected by prednisolone, could be sensitive biomarkers for assessing TA activity. Evaluation of MMP-9 may suggest prior existence of TA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishihara
authors.forename: Go
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haraguchi
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tezuka
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamiishi
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Inagaki
authors.forename: Mitsuaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isobe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component / Q000378:metabolism*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D055815:Young Adult; D000099153:Pentraxins
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D011239:Prednisolone; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins; C511768:MMP3 protein, human; C522361:MMP2 protein, human; C579270:MMP9 protein, human