Induction of osteoclastogenesis and bone loss by human autoantibodies against citrullinated vimentin

Autoimmunity is complicated by bone loss. In human rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most severe inflammatory joint disease, autoantibodies against citrullinated proteins are among the strongest risk factors for bone destruction. We therefore hypothesized that these autoantibodies directly influence bone metabolism. Here, we found a strong and specific association between autoantibodies against citrullinated proteins and serum markers for osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in RA patients. Moreover, human osteoclasts expressed enzymes eliciting protein citrullination, and specific N-terminal citrullination of vimentin was induced during osteoclast differentiation. Affinity-purified human autoantibodies against…

• EC
  European Commission

  Award: SPP1468
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: SPP1468, SPP1468-IMMUNOBONE
• BF
  Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung

  Award: SPP1468
• HS
  Hungarian Scientific Research Fund

  Award: CK80689
• EL
  Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem
• NF
  Nemzeti Fejlesztési Ügynökség