OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocyte apoptosis gene in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with cold dampness type (CDT), and to explore its correlation with clinical indicators of RA.

METHODSSixteen RA patients with CDT (as the RA group) and 16 healthy subjects (as the normal control group) were recruited. CD4 T cell apoptosis rate was detected in the RA group and the normal control group using FCM. mRNA expressions of fas, fasL, caspase-3, caspase-8, bcl-2, and bax were detected using RT-PCR. Correlations between the expression of apoptosis gene and clinical activity indicators of RA (ESR, CRP, RF, CCP, integrals for Chinese medial symptoms, morning stiffness time, joint tenderness number, joint swelling number, DAS28-3) were analyzed.

RESULTSThe apoptosis rate of CD4+ T was significantly lower in the RA group than in the control group [(2. 6 +/- 0.9) % vs. (7.7 +/- 1.3) %, P < 0.01]. mRNA expression levels of fas, fasL, caspase-8, caspase-3, and bax mRNA of CD4+ T significantly decreased, but bcl-2 mRNA expression increased in the RA group (P < 0.01). The apoptosis rate of CD4+ T was negatively correlated with ESR (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of caspase-8 was negatively correlated with joint swelling number (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of bcl-2 was negatively correlated with integrals for Chinese medial-symptoms and joint function classification (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONApoptosis obstacle exists in peripheral blood CD4 +T lymphocyte of RA patients, and is closely related to disease activity.