Platelet-associated NETosis in monitoring inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective. To assess the possibility of using platelet-associated NETosis parameters to monitor inflammatory activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Materials and methods. 50 patients with RA and 29 patients with SLE were examined. The parameters of early and late platelet-associated NETosis were assessed in autologous mixed cultures containing a leukocyte suspension and intact and ADP-stimulated platelets.Results. In patients with RA and SLE in the acute stage, rates of platelet-associated NETosis were increased compared to healthy individuals (p = 0,00001-0,001). During the period of clinical remission, NETosis parameters decreased in comparison with the exacerbation stage (NET-Рst: p=0,017-0,04), in some cases reaching control values. Based on regression analysis, threshold values for platelet-associated NETosis parameters were determined to assess the activity of the inflammatory process in patients with RA and SLE.Conclusion. Parameters of platelet-associated NETosis are informative laboratory markers of the inflammatory process in patients with RA and SLE.