Figure 1

Seropositive RA patients (anti-CCP⁺RF^+/− and anti-CCP^hiRF^hi) have elevated levels of serum cytokines relative to those in seronegative patients and HCs. (A) Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 from RA patients (anti-CCP⁻RF⁻, anti-CCP⁺RF^+/−, and anti-CCP^hiRF^hi) and HCs. Patients were classified according to DAS28 levels in Remission (DAS28 ≤ 2.6, green dots); Low activity (DAS28 > 2.6–≤ 3.2, yellow dots); Moderate activity (DAS28 > 3.2–≤ 5.1, orange dots); and High activity (DAS28 > 5.1, red dots). Comparisons among the groups were made by performing the Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn’s post-hoc test. (B) PCA contrasting the proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-12p70, IL-6, and TNF-α) and CRP, IL-10, and DAS28 variables in patients with seropositive and seronegative RA and HCs. The heat map inside PCA (right) shows the weights of each variable in component 2 (proinflammatory cytokines).