Team with IMM researchers develop affordable & accessible diagnostic test for rheumatoid arthritis
Research news item
There is growing need for affordable and efficient diagnostic tests for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially in resource-limited settings. A team of researchers from the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM) of uu77 and multi-disciplinary research company Novio Catalpa, has developed a novel and low-cost diagnostic test aimed at addressing this challenge. Their findings, published in the journal Rheumatology Advances in Practice, show that this test offers a simple, rapid, and cost-effective solution for detecting rheumatoid arthritis biomarkers in blood samples.
Traditional tests for rheumatoid arthritis, like anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) tests, require expensive equipment and trained staff to function accurately, making them less accessible and harder to use. The new test designed by the research team only requires a small drop of blood from a fingertip and works on a simple card. The test is particularly valuable for use in low-resource environments where more sophisticated testing methods are not available. “I am very enthusiastic about the results, as the new test will facilitate diagnosing RA in countries where current ACPA tests were not available and this test may strongly reduce the costs of ACPA testing in other areas”, says Prof. Pruijn, member of the research team.
Molecular mediator
The research team designed a molecular mediator that causes red blood cells to clump together when it binds to specific antibodies found in the blood of RA patients. This clumping only happens if ACPA, a key marker of rheumatoid arthritis, is present. The mediator, developed over several years, can detect these antibodies with high accuracy, like tests used in clinical labs.
The new test was evaluated using blood samples from approximately 200 RA patients, 100 individuals with other rheumatic diseases, and 100 healthy controls. The results showed that the test effectively detects the ACPA biomarker in RA samples. The only minimal clumping in non-RA samples confirmed that the test is very specific and reliable. “The developed mediator enables efficient detection of the relevant antibodies in the blood of the patient, with sensitivity comparable to established commercial tests, making it a valuable tool for RA diagnosis”, Pruijn says.
Impact
This test offers a simple and affordable solution for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, especially in less developed regions with limited access to expensive tools. It can also be used as a screening method to reduce the need for costly tests, helping to save on healthcare expenses. As the test is very accessible and cost-efficient it is a valuable tool for clinical and public health use.
Biomolecular Chemistry
The department of Biomolecular Chemistry, led by Prof. Ger Pruijn, focuses on understanding molecular aspects of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. The research studies how cellular stress, often caused by environmental factors, and the modification of proteins by sugar molecules contribute to inflammation and autoimmune diseases. They also study the mechanisms behind the loss of immune self-tolerance, which plays a key role in RA and other autoimmune diseases.
Literature reference
Anti-citrullinated protein antibody detection by hemagglutination Ilmar Kruis, Jyoti Kumari, Annemarie van der Heijden, Amrah Weijn, Wilma Vree Egberts, Iris Rose Peeters, Noortje van Herwaarden, Martin Salden, Ger J M Pruijn Rheumatology Advances in Practice, rkaf010 (2025)
Contact information
Prof. Ger Pruijn ger.pruijn [at] ru.nl (ger[dot]pruijn[at]ru[dot]nl)
