Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cartilage oligomeric protein (COMP) and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) as serum biomarkers in psoriatic arthritis

Introduction. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal disorder characterized by axial and peripheral joint involvement as well as extra-articular manifestations such as skin and nail disease, enthesitis, dactylitis, uveitis, etc. Given the broad clinical spectrum, the assessment of the natural course, activity, therapeutic response and prognosis of PsA is difficult. The discovery and implementation of biomarkers would allow personalization of the management of PsA patients. Materials and methods. The serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) and C-reactive protein were measured in 106 patients with psoriatic arthritis – naive and treated with methotrexate and/or biologics (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, ustekinumab). Multiple clinical measures, indices and questionnaires used in PsA were also assessed. Results. Patients with achieved minimal disease activity, CPDAI and PASDAS remission had significantly lower serum VEGF concentrations (619.55 pg / ml vs 430.50 pg / ml, p = 0.009; 489.682 vs. 768.991 pg / ml, p = 0.005; and 459, 72 vs 726, 94 pg / ml, p = 0, 004 respectively). Serum levels of VEGF (rs = 0.327; p = 0.015), COMP (rs = 0.328; p = 0.001) and MMP-3 (rs = 0,213; p = 0,028) positively correlated with СRP. There was also a positive association of VEGF levels with PASI (rs = 0.279; p = 0.004), BSA (rs = 0.225, p = 0.02), PASDAS (rs = 0.269; p = 0.005), CPDAI (rs = 0.213; p = 0.014), HAQ-DI (rs = 0.331; p = 0.001), DLQI (rs = 0.232 p = 0.017) and PsAQoL (rs = 0.256; p = 0.008). Serum COMP levels were positively linked with the swollen joints number (rs = 0.204; p = 0.035), PASI (rs = 0.205; p = 0.034) and BSA (rs = 0.247; p = 0.010). MMP-3 correlated with the number of swollen joints (rs = 0.255; p = 0.008). Conclusion. COMP, MMP-3 and especially VEGF could be used as potential biomarkers in psoriatic arthritis.