Alterations of the CD4+, CD8+ T Cell Subsets, Interleukins-1β, IL-10, IL-17, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis: Preliminary Observations

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a multisystem disease with underlying immune mechanisms. Osteoarthritis is a debilitating, progressive disease of diarthrodial joints associated with the aging process. Although much is known about the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, our understanding of some immunologic changes remains incomplete. This study tries to examine the numeric changes in the T cell subsets and the alterations in the levels of some cytokines and adhesion molecules in these lesions. To accomplish this goal, peripheral blood and synovial fluid samples were obtained from 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 15 patients with osteoarthritis and six healthy controls. The counts of CD4 (+) and CD8 (+) T lymphocytes were examined using flow cytometry. The levels of some cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL1-beta, IL-10, and IL-17) and a soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were measured in the sera and synovial fluids using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay. We found some variations in the counts of T cell subsets, the levels of cytokines and sICAM-1 adhesion molecule between the healthy controls and the patients with arthritis. High levels of IL-1beta, IL-10, IL-17 and TNF-alpha (in the serum and synovial fluid) were observed in arthritis compared to the healthy controls. In rheumatoid arthritis, a high serum level of sICAM-1 was found compared to its level in the synovial fluid. A high CD4(+)/CD8(+) T cell ratio was found in the blood of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis, the cytokine levels correlated positively with some clinicopathologic features. To conclude, the development of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis is associated with alteration of the levels of some cytokines. The assessment of these immunologic changes may have potential prognostic roles.

Different distribution of CD4 and CD8 T cells in synovial membrane and peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients.

“…However, unlike the cited paper, we had not observed any decrease of CD8 + cells in older control group. Consistent with our study, Hussein et al [5] showed higher CD4/8 ratio in the blood of RA and OA patients compared to the healthy control group; however, in our study the difference did not reach statistical significance, probably due to relatively small examined group.…”

“…Some data are available on CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in the peripheral blood of both groups of patients, but usually the authors did not assess the same cells in the synovium [4,5]. Considering known functional differences between T cells expressing CD28 or not, their importance for RA pathology [6] and virtual lack of information on the distribution of these two T cell subpopulations in the SM of OA patients, we decided to compare the presence of major T cell populations and their CD28 + and CD28-subpopulations in synovium membranes and peripheral blood of OA and RA patients.…”

Vitamin B6 supplementation improves pro-inflammatory responses in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

“…It has been observed that serum levels of TNF-a, IL-6 and soluble CD4 were significantly higher in RA patients compared with 30 healthy subjects (Kuryliszyn-Moskal, 1998). Hussein et al (2008) also found a high CD4 þ /CD8 þ T-cell ratio in RA patients. Low plasma PLP concentrations have been related to alteration of immune responses, including impairment of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity (Meydani et al, 1991(Meydani et al, , 1992Rall and Meydani, 1993).…”

Chondroprotective Effects of Hyaluronic Acid-Chitosan Nanoparticles Containing Plasmid DNA Encoding Cytokine Response Modifier A in a Rat Knee Osteoarthritis Model

“…IL-1β plays an important role in inducing synovial inflammation, which is involved in the early stages of OA pathogenesis [4,39]. Elevated levels of IL-1β are observed in the serum and synovial fluids of patients with OA [40]. IL-1β in synovial fluid is associated with an increased risk of chondral damage in knee OA induced by chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency [41].…”