Role of 14-3-3η (Eta) Protein as Immunological Marker for Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: There are few studies had addressed the effect of 14-3-3η (Eta) protein in the activity of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, this study mainly aims to evaluate whether 14-3-3η (Eta) protein is related to disease activity in a sample of Iraqi patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Method: The case- control study included 50 patients with the rheumatoid arthritis, 3 males and 47 females as group I, 34 non rheumatoid arthritis (apparently healthy) control as group II. Serum levels of 14-3-3η (Eta) protein was measured by sandwich ELISA using ELISA minikits (MyBioSource-USA). Results: Rheumatoid arthritis found high in individuals of age group (45-54). There is a significant (P= 0.02) association between this age of patients and the susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis. There was a high significant (P= 0.0001) difference between males and females among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the association was non-significant (P=0.27) between family history and rheumatoid arthritis patients. According to patient’s history of smoking, there was a high significant (P=0.002) relationship between rheumatoid arthritis patients and smoking history compared with control. The serum level of 14-3-3 eta protein have a significant (p= 0.025) association with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis while Anti CCP showing a high significant P< 0.001 association with the disease. Also there was a non- significant association between Anti CCP, 14-3-3 eta protein with disease activity score-28. Regarding disease duration, 14-3-3 eta protein showing a significant (P= 0.01) association with early rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: There was a significant association between the 14-3-3 eta protein serum level and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis. Also, this study was reported a non-significant association between 14-3-3 eta protein and disease activity score -28.