CCP - Anti-CCP

Anti-CCP ELISA is a test system for the quantitative measurement of IgG class autoantibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP)in human serum or plasma.This product is intended for professional in vitro diagnostic use only.Highly purified cyclic citrullinated vimentin peptides (CCP) is bound to microwells The determination is based on an indirect enzyme linked immune reaction with the following steps: Specific antibodies in the patient sample bind to the antigen coated on the surface of the reaction wells. After incubation, a washing step removes unbound and unspecifically bound serum or plasma components. Subsequently added enzyme conjugate binds to the immobilized antibody-antigen-complexes. After incubation, a second washing step removes unbound enzyme conjugate. After addition of substrate solution the bound enzyme conjugate hydrolyses the substrate forming a blue coloured product. Addition of an acid stops the reaction generating a yellow end-product. The intensity of the yellow colour correlates with the concentration of the antibody-antigen-complex and can be measured photometrically at 450 nm Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. It is characterized by a progressive inflammation of the joints, leading to gradual damage and loss oftheir function. Early diagnosis of RA and immediate onset of an appropriate treatment is essential for prevention of complete joint damage. In addition to rheumatoid factors, autoantibodies against citrullinated antigens (ACPA) have proven to be valuable tools for the serological diagnosis of early RA. They have become a critical component of the new 2010 ACR criteria for the classification of RA, and account for three of the six points required to verify a diagnosis of RA [2,3]. It has been demonstrated in numerous studies that antibodies against citrullinated peptides from enolase, fibrinogen and especially vimentin occur in RF-negative patients. Citrullinated vimentin has been detected in the rheumatoid synovial tissue of RA patients and is involved in the initiation of ACPA production [4,5,6]. Autoantibodies against mutated citrullinated vimentin (Anti-MCV) are sensitive and specific markers for RA. They correlate with an erosive course of disease with severe joint damage and extra articular manifestations [7]. A strong correlation between Anti-MCVtitres in RA patients and disease activity score (DAS) has been described [8]. Anti-CCP ELISA combines the many advantages of the detection of autoantibodies against the nativeautoantigen mutated citrullinated vimentin (MCV), which have been demonstrated in many publications [9-18], with the strengths of modern peptide synthesis. Anti-CCP ELISA is based on specific optimized peptide epitopes from the body’s own MCV protein. This tailored antigen profile gives the test the highest sensitivity (up to 92%) while maintaining high specificity (up to 98%). Anti-CCP ELISA detects autoantibodies very early - sometimes even years before symptoms become evident. Persons without symptoms but with an increased Anti-CCP antibody titre are at high risk for future RA development. Furthermore, a positive result is predictive for a severe course of RA. Therefore, Anti-CCP ELISA is an effective tool for rapid and precise routine diagnosis and favours immediate implementation of treatment.