Blood leukocyte microarrays to diagnose systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis and follow the response to IL-1 blockade

Florence Allantaz, Damien Chaussabel, Dorothee Stichweh, Lynda Bennett, Windy Allman, Asuncion Mejias, Monica Ardura, Wendy Chung, Carol Wise, Karolina Palucka, Octavio Ramilo, Marilynn Punaro, Jacques Banchereau, Virginia Pascual

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

190 Scopus citations

Abstract

Systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA) represents up to 20% of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. We recently reported that interleukin (IL) 1 is an important mediator of this disease and that IL-1 blockade induces clinical remission. However, lack of specificity of the initial systemic manifestations leads to delays in diagnosis and initiation of therapy. To develop a specific diagnostic test, we analyzed leukocyte gene expression profiles of 44 pediatric SoJIA patients, 94 pediatric patients with acute viral and bacterial infections, 38 pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 6 patients with PAPA syndrome, and 39 healthy children. Statistical group comparison and class prediction identified genes differentially expressed in SoJIA patients compared with healthy children. These genes, however, were also changed in patients with acute infections and SLE. An analysis of significance across all diagnostic groups identified 88 SoJIA-specific genes, 12 of which accurately classified an independent set of SoJIA patients with systemic disease. Transcripts that changed significantly in patients undergoing IL-1 blockade were also identified. Thus, leukocyte transcriptional signatures can be used to distinguish SoJIA from other febrile illnesses and to assess response to therapy. Availability of early diagnostic markers may allow prompt initiation of therapy and prevention of disabilities. JEM

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2131-2144
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine
Volume204
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 3 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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