MS analysis of rheumatoid arthritic synovial tissue identifies specific citrullination sites on fibrinogen

Abstract

We report a proof of principle study for the identification of citrullinated proteins and within them, identification of citrullination sites and quantification of their occupancies in synovial tissue from rheumatoid arthritis patients using high-resolution MS. Detailed studies on which molecules are citrullinated in arthritis can provide information about their role in immune regulation and serve as novel biomarkers and potentially even as therapeutic targets.