Potential Serum Biomarkers for Differentiating Axial Psoriatic Arthritis and Peripheral Psoriatic Arthritis

In a recent study published in European Journal of Medical Research, a candidate biomarker, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), could contribute to early diagnosis of axial psoriatic arthritis (axPsA).

Researchers aimed to discover potential serum biomarkers for distinguishing between axPsA and peripheral psoriatic arthritis (pPsA). Serum samples were collected from patients with PsA, divided into biomarker discovery and verification cohorts, and classified into axPsA or pPsA based on imaging criteria.

Using untargeted proteomics technology, 45 significantly differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified between axPsA and pPsA through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Among these DEPs, PEDF emerged as a candidate biomarker selected via the Boruta algorithm and lasso regression.

Subsequent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) verification confirmed significantly higher serum PEDF levels in axPsA compared to pPsA within the verification cohort. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.72 for PEDF, indicating its potential diagnostic utility.

Furthermore, serum PEDF levels exhibited positive correlations with body mass index and C-reactive protein levels. Additionally, there was a trend toward a positive correlation between PEDF and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, suggesting its association with disease activity.

“This study provided a comprehensive characterization of the proteome in axPsA and pPsA and identified a candidate biomarker, PEDF, that may contribute to early diagnosis for axPsA,” the authors concluded.

Reference
Lu C, Yang F, He S, et al. Serum proteome analysis identifies a potential biomarker for axial psoriatic arthritis. Eur J Med Res. Published March 1, 2024. doi:10.1186/s40001-024-01731-9