Study of Venous Endothelial Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis



Status:Completed
Conditions:Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis
Therapuetic Areas:Rheumatology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - 75
Updated:4/2/2016
Start Date:November 2011
End Date:December 2015
Contact:Elizabeth B Solow, MD
Email:registry@mednet.swmed.edu
Phone:214-648-0419

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Analysis of Endothelial Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Heart disease is the major contributor of early death in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is
not influenced by traditional risk factors. Blood vessel dysfunction has been associated
with heart disease and complications such as heart attack. The vessel dysfunction is thought
to be mediated in part to inflammation. RA patients have evidence of vessel dysfunction seen
on ultrasound that improves after medications are given.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate patients with controlled or uncontrolled rheumatoid
arthritis to determine if there is a difference in the protein expression in the cells that
line the blood vessels compared to healthy people.

The study will consist of a cross sectional analysis of venous endothelial cells in
rheumatoid arthritis patients who have controlled or uncontrolled disease and healthy
controls. We will collect venous endothelial cells by placing an IV in antegrade position in
the forearm and a thin wire will be inserted to collect the cells from the inner lining of
the vein. The cells will processed and stained for markers of endothelial function and
oxidative stress including endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phospho-eNOS, nuclear
factor kappa B (NFκB), and nitrotyrosine using immunofluorescence technique. Flow mediated
dilation (FMD) by ultrasound of the brachial artery on the contralateral arm will be used as
an additional marker of endothelial function. A blood sample will be taken for analysis of
inflammatory markers (sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein) and cytokine analysis (IL-1,
IL-6, TNFa) by cytokine bead array and flow cytometry.

Inclusion Criteria:

Rheumatoid arthritis:

- Age 18-75 years

- Rheumatoid arthritis defined by 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria

- Attending clinic at University of Texas Southwestern Aston Clinic for Rheumatology or
Parkland Arthritis Clinic.

Healthy controls:

- Age 18-75 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

Rheumatoid arthritis:

- Insulin dependent diabetes

- Cardiovascular or Cerebrovascular disease

- Tobacco use in last 24 months

- Uncontrolled blood pressure

- Uncontrolled cholesterol

- Pregnant or nursing

- Prednisone greater than 10mg per day

- Stable methotrexate dose for less than 4 weeks

- Undergoing Infliximab infusions

Healthy controls:

- Insulin dependent diabetes

- Cardiovascular or Cerebrovascular disease

- Tobacco use in last 24 months

- Uncontrolled high blood pressure

- Uncontrolled cholesterol

- Pregnant or nursing
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Dallas, Texas 75390
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5201 Harry Hines Blvd
Dallas, Texas 75235
(214) 590-8000
Parkland Memorial Hospital As our community's public health system, Parkland is the foundation for a...
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