LAUSR

OBJECTIVE Oligoarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) disease progression and outcomes are variable. Our objective is to detect protein markers that would allow for earlier intervention to potentially halt disease progression. In this retrospective study of serial synovial fluid samples, elevated expression of CCL24, CXCL9, and CXCL10 was linked to the eventual need for advanced medications. METHODS Serial synovial fluid samples were selected from patients with persistent and extended oligoarticular JIA. The samples were separated into two groups: those who did and did not receive advanced medications throughout their disease course. Protein antibody arrays and Luminex assays were performed to determine changes in protein expression. RESULTS CCL24, CXCL9, and CXCL10 expression levels were significantly higher in patients who eventually required advanced treatment than in those who did not. The expression levels of CCL24 and CXCL9 were consistently elevated in paired samples of those who later received advanced medications. In the persistent oligoarticular JIA group, CXCL10 levels remained elevated over time in those who required advanced treatment. Conversely, CCL24 levels decreased in patients who did not require advanced treatment. In the extended samples, the levels of CCL24 and CXCL10 expression increased significantly over time in the patients who ultimately required advanced treatment. CONCLUSION In patients with oligoarticular JIA, regardless of disease onset and progression, the consistent elevation of any or all three markers, the CCL24, CXCL9, and CXCL10 in synovial fluids was associated with the future use of advanced therapy which could be reflective of disease severity.