The significance of metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), chemokine CXC ligand 13 (CXCL-13) and complement component C5a in different stages of ANCA associated vasculitis

The aim of the study was to evaluate the significance of metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), chemokine CXC ligand 13 (CXCL-13) and complement component 5a (C5a) in different stages of ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV). 89 adults were included into the study. 28 patients with active AAV (Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, BVAS > 3) formed the Active Group. 24 individuals who were in remission after 6 months of induction therapy formed the Short R Group, while 34 patients with longitudinal remission formed the Long R Group. 28 patients without autoimmune diseases similar in terms of age, gender and stage of kidney disease formed the Control Group. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (ROC) was used to evaluate MMP-3, CXCL-13 and C5a as markers of the different phases of vasculitis. In ROC analysis, MMP-3, CXCL-13 and C5a presented a good ability in distinguishing active vasculitis (Active Group) from the Control Group (AUC > 0.8), whereas only CXCL-13 displayed potential ability in distinguishing active vasculitis (Active Group) from long term remission (Long R Group, AUC = 0.683). MMP-3 significantly and positively correlated with serum creatinine concentration (r = 0.51, p = 0.011; r = 0.44, p = 0.009; r = −0.66, p < 0.001) and negatively with eGFR (r = −0.5, p = 0.012; r = −0.35, p = 0.039; r = −0.63, p < 0.001) in the Short R, Long R and Control Groups. MMP-3, CXCL-13, C5a can be potential markers in differentiating an active phase of vasculitis from other pathologies. However they can be treated as complementary to the well-known markers. CXCL-13 seems to be a potential marker in distinguishing active vasculitis from long term remission. MMP-3 level can be related to kidney function expressed by eGFR, therefore its elevation should be interpreted with caution in patients with kidney failure.