Autoimmune and inflammatory responses in Kashin–Beck disease compared with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

To examine plasma levels of arthritis-related autoantibodies and inflammatory factors in Kashin–Beck disease (KBD) patients compared with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and healthy controls, the plasma levels of autoantibodies to types II, IX, and XI collagen and cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) and immunoglobulin (Ig)-G and IgM rheumatoid factors (IgG-RF and IgM-RF) from 45 KBD patients, 39 RA patients, 46 OA patients, and 30 healthy controls were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The plasma concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured using the Griess method and bioassay, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance followed by the least significant difference t test for differences among groups. Results indicated that the plasma levels of collagen IX antibodies, IgG-RF, and NO significantly increased in KBD patients compared with patients with RA and OA and the control group. The levels of collagen XI antibodies, CCP antibodies, and IgM-RF but not collagen II antibodies and TNF-α were significantly increased in the plasma of the KBD group compared with that of the control group. We conclude that autoimmunity and inflammation may be involved in the pathogenesis of KBD, in particular in the advanced stage.