THU0301 Neopterin (NPT) and soluble interleukin 2 receptor (SIL-2R) as useful markers of disease activity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)

Background JIA is the common chronic rheumatic disease in children that may continue to be active in adulthood. The new laboratory markers are needed to adjust therapy of JIA to the actual disease activity and to define group of patients with a risk of developing exacerbation. NPT (a product of guanosine triphosphate pathway) is produced by human monocytes/macrophages upon stimulation by Th1 derived INF-γ. Activated T cells release a soluble form of IL-2, considered to be en early marker for immune activation. Objectives To assess whether serum levels of NPT and sIL-2R are reliable parameters for monitoring JIA activity in the clinical practice. Methods 83 patients with active JIA (median 10.3y, 37 oligoarticular [OLIGO], 30 polyarticular [POLY], 6 systemic [soJIA], and 10 enthesitis-related–arthritis [ERA]onset) were evaluated. Of these, 38 consecutive patients were followed-up with an evaluation in remission.ACR-Pediatric variables: physician global assessment of disease activity; parent/patient assessment of overall well-being; CHAQ; number of joints with active arthritis; number of joints with limited range of motion; ESR/C-reactive protein; and additionally: duration of morning stiffness, WBC, and Hgb were collected. 25 ages- and sex- matched healthy subjects acted as controls. Serum levels of NPT and sIL-2R were measured by ELISA. Results Serum levels of NPT were significantly higher in active JIA patients (10.7±21.7 nmol/l) than in the control group (4.98±2.01nmol/l; p