Fig. 4

Correlation between serum levels of galectin-9 and clinical parameters (a ESR, b DAS28-ESR, c MMP-3) in the subgrouped RA patients according to the titers of ACPA. a Correlation analysis of serum levels of galectin-9 and ESR does not show a relationship in group 1 RA patients with high titers of ACPA (≧ 200 U/ml), whereas there was a significant positive correlation between serum levels of galectin-9 and ESR in group 2 RA patients with low titers of ACPA (< 200 U/ml). b Correlation analysis of serum levels of galectin-9 and DAS28-ESR does not show a relationship in group 1 RA patients with high titers of ACPA (≧ 200 U/ml), whereas there was a significant positive correlation between serum levels of galectin-9 and DAS28-ESR in group 2 RA patients with low titers of ACPA (< 200 U/ml). c Correlation analysis of serum levels of galectin-9 and MMP-3 does not show a relationship in group 1 RA patients with high titers of ACPA (≧ 200 U/ml), whereas there was a significant positive correlation between serum levels of galectin-9 and MMP-3 in group 2 RA patients with low titers of ACPA (< 200 U/ml)