Fig. 1

Levels of sLAG-3 in RA and HC. A sLAG-3 was measured in eRA (n = 99) at baseline and after 12 months of therapy and compared to sLAG-3 levels in healthy controls (n = 32). B, C At baseline, eRA patients (n = 99) were examined for levels of plasma sLAG-3, which were elevated in the IgM-RF-positive (n = 67) and anti-CCP-positive (n = 58) patients compared with seronegative patients. D Comparison of baseline sLAG-3 levels in eRA patients (n = 90) with disease progression measured by increased Total Sharp Score (ΔTSS 1 +) vs. patients without disease progression (ΔTSS 0) over a 2-year period. E Comparison of sLAG-3 in the plasma vs. synovial fluid in cRA (n = 38). Boxes indicate median and IQR, whiskers 10th–90th percentiles. Differences were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test or Mann–Whitney test to compare the two groups. The level of significance is indicated on the graph. IgM-RF, IgM rheumatoid factor; CCP, cyclic citrullinated peptide; TSS, Total Sharp score