Anti-CCP ELISA Kit

Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (Anti-CCP) antibodies are autoantibodies directed against citrullinated proteins, which are proteins in which the amino acid arginine has been post-translationally converted to citrulline. This process, called citrullination, occurs normally but can trigger an autoimmune response in genetically susceptible individuals. Anti-CCP antibodies are highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease by forming immune complexes that contribute to joint inflammation and destruction. These antibodies often appear years before clinical symptoms, making them important early biomarkers of disease.

In the clinical setting, anti-CCP testing is primarily used for diagnosis and prognosis of RA. Anti-CCP has a specificity of over 95% for RA, which is higher than rheumatoid factor (RF), making it particularly valuable in distinguishing RA from other forms of arthritis. High titers of anti-CCP are associated with more aggressive disease, radiographic progression, and poor long-term outcomes, which helps guide treatment intensity and monitoring. The test is also useful in identifying patients in the preclinical phase of RA, enabling early therapeutic intervention.

In research, anti-CCP serves as a biomarker for studying autoimmune mechanisms and disease pathogenesis in RA. Researchers use it to investigate genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers (such as smoking), and the immunologic cascade leading to joint damage. Anti-CCP is also a key endpoint in clinical trials evaluating disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and novel immunotherapies, providing an objective measure of autoimmune activity and disease progression. Its early appearance and high specificity make it invaluable in both translational research and clinical studies of rheumatoid arthritis.

This product is manufactured in Germany by Medipan GmbH.