OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive values for disease progression of various 
antibodies against citrullinated peptide proteins (ACPA) and their relation to 
PTPN22 1858C/T polymorphism and HLA-DRB1 alleles in early rheumatoid arthritis 
(RA).
METHODS: The ACPA, e.g., antibodies against mutated citrullinated vimentin 
(MCV), cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP) type 2 and 3 (both of IgG isotype) 
and 3.1 (of both IgG and IgA isotypes), were analyzed at baseline in patients 
with early RA (n = 210) and in population controls (n = 102) using an enzyme 
immunoassay. A receiver-operating characteristic curve was constructed for each 
antibody. Disease activity [swollen and tender joints, visual analog scale for 
global health, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)] was evaluated at 
baseline and regularly for 24 months. Radiographs of hands and feet were graded 
using the Larsen score.
RESULTS: Patients with anti-MCV antibodies had significantly less reduction in 
Disease Activity Score (DAS28) over time (p < 0.01), and significantly increased 
area under the curve (AUC) for DAS28 (p < 0.05), ESR (p < 0.01), C-reactive 
protein (p < 0.01), and swollen joint count (p = 0.057) compared to those 
without. Corresponding differences were not found in patients with anti-CCP2, 
CCP3, and CCP3.1 antibodies. Radiological progression (p < 0.0001-0.01) and 
radiological outcome (p < 0.0001-0.01) at 24 months were significantly predicted 
by all ACPA after baseline adjustments. PTPN22 T variant and HLA-DRB1 alleles 
were not related to radiological progression or inflammatory activity over time.
CONCLUSION: Anti-MCV antibodies are associated with a more severe RA disease, as 
measured by DAS28, ESR, and swollen joint count over time, compared with 
anti-CCP2, CCP3, and CCP3.1 antibodies. Radiological progression was predicted 
equally by all 4 autoantibodies.