Role of fibroblast growth factor-23 in calcinosis in women with systemic sclerosis

• Main Authors: Lucia Cantero-Nieto, Antonio Alvarez-Cienfuegos, Jose Alberto García-Gómez, Javier Martin, Miguel Angel González-Gay, Norberto Ortego-Centeno
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Portuguesa de Reumatologia 2020-10-01
• Series: Acta Reumatológica Portuguesa
• Subjects: systemic sclerosis; calcinosis; fibroblast growth factor-23
• Online Access: http://www.actareumatologica.pt/files/article/1321_role_of_fibroblast_growth_factor_23_in_calcinosis_in_women_with_systemic_sclerosis_file.pdf

Objective: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disorder of unknown etiology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) serum levels in women with SSc compared with healthy controls and to examine a possible association between FGF-23 serum levels with the presence of calcinosis in SSc patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in San Cecilio Hospital, Granada (Spain) from November 2017 to May 2019. Sixty-two women with SSc and 62 age and sex matched healthy controls were included in this study. FGF-23 serum concentration was evaluated by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: There was no significant difference in FGF-23 levels between SSc patients and healthy controls (78.2 ± 60.5 vs. 80.3 ± 56.3 pg/mL, p= 0.662). Regarding the characteristics of the disease, we found a relationship between the values of FGF-23 and the presence of calcinosis. The levels of FGF-23 are higher in patients suffering from calcinosis (p= 0.028). Conclusion: We observed the presence of higher levels of serum FGF-23 in SSc female patients with calcinosis. Therefore, FGF-23 could be a possible therapeutic target for future treatments.