Interleukin 22 serum levels are associated with radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

ObjectivesTo study the role of interleukin 22 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods IL-22 serum levels were measured in patients with early, treatment-naive RA (n=49) and in 45 age-and sex-matched healthy individuals as controls. Patients were assessed clinically and radiographically at baseline and followed up for 2 years. Correlations of IL-22 serum levels were sought with parameters of disease activity, serological markers, demographic factors and the incidence of erosions. IL-22 production by peripheral blood T cells was investigated by intracellular fl ow cytometry. Results 24 of 49 patients with RA demonstrated elevated IL-22 levels compared with the range of healthy controls. At baseline, a high percentage of these patients (8/24, 33%) demonstrated bone erosions, whereas only one patient (4%) from the group with normal IL-22 had erosions. During the 2 years of follow-up, six additional patients with increased IL-22 at baseline developed erosions. In contrast, none of the patients in whom IL-22 levels were normal developed erosions despite similar treatment regimens. Multivariate regression analysis accounting for other parameters predictive for erosions, such as the presence of rheumatoid factor or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and disease activity, showed that elevated IL-22 baseline levels were independently and signifi cantly associated with erosive RA. Cellular analysis demonstrated enhanced expression of IL-22 from CD4 T cells in RA. Conclusion IL-22 is elevated in the serum of half of the patients with RA. Elevated serum IL-22 allows discrimination between patients with different radiographic progression and indicates a possible involvement of IL-22 in the pathophysiology of RA.

Interleukin-22 Serum Levels in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in Sana'a City, Yemen

“…In our study, we observed significantly elevated levels of IL-22 in serum of RA patients compared to healthy controls (p=.022). Our data are in accordance with previous reports that found elevation of IL-22 in serum and plasma of patients with RA [34][35][36][37] . In consistent with our T cells were correlated positively with the disease activity in RA patients and the percentage of these cells were correlated positively with the levels of plasma IL-22 in these patients 36 .…”

IL-23R rs11209026 polymorphism modulates IL-17A expression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

“…This is consistent with a recent report that links IL-22 serum concentrations with radiographic progression in RA. 41 In summary, our results suggest that the IL-23R Arg381Gln substitution may alter IL-23R function, thereby influencing serum IL-17A concentrations. In comparison, polymorphisms in the IL-12 Figure 2.…”

Interleukin 22, a Potential Therapeutic Target for Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Other studies have indicated the similar relationship between IL-22 and RA, where serum IL-22 levels were found to be increased in patients with RA compared with controls 2,3,4,5 , and high IL-22 levels correlated with bone erosions 4 . The IL-22 concentration in synovial fluid was higher in patients with RA compared with controls 2,3 .…”

“…The IL-22 concentration in synovial fluid was higher in patients with RA compared with controls 2,3 . In patients with RA, Th17 cells were recognized to produce higher IL-22 4 . Th22 cells also produced IL-22 and the expression of Th22 cells.…”