What do biomarkers tell us about the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis?

Description: Biomarkers may provide information that promotes understanding of prognosis, disease activity, and pathogenesis in ankylosing spondylitis. Biomarkers reflecting disease activity (metallo- proteinase-3) and inflammatory lesions on magnetic resonance imaging predict new bone formation and are ameliorated by anti- tumor necrosis factor therapy, yet this treatment may not prevent new bone formation. Moreover, elevated levels of biomarkers reflecting tissue repair (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase) post- treatment together with magnetic resonance imaging indicates such treatment may even promote repair through new bone formation. Tumor necrosis factor regulation of Dickkopf-1 may con- stitute a molecular brake that controls osteoblastogenesis through wingless and bone morphogenetic proteins in an established inflammatory lesion in ankylosing spondylitis.
Editorial Walter P Maksymowych Arthritis Research & Therapy 2009, 11:101 (full text)