Expression of interleukin-18 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis
- VernacularTitle:白细胞介素-18在类风湿关节炎外周血单个核细胞中的表达
- Author:
Yinong LI
;
Guiying SHI
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology
2001;5(2):95-97
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To further investigate the balance (relative presence) of Th1 and Th2 subsets at the sites of rheumatoid inflammation,and to understand how about the expression of IL-18 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA),and what the relationship exists between expression of IL-18 and rate of Th1/Th2 in RA,and between IL-18 level and activity of the disease.Method Expression of IFN-γ,IL-4,and IL-18 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 16 patients with RA and 15 healthy subjects was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.Results ① PBMC from patients with RA was found to contain greater levels of IL-18 mRNA than that from healthy subjects (P＜0.01).② IL-18 mRNA levels were correlated with IFN-γ mRNA (relative coefficients:r＝0.836,P＜0.05).③ IL-18 mRNA levels were associated with the disease activity as assessed by levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r＝0.753,P＜0.05).Conclusion IL-18 is among a matrix of inflammatory cytokines produced abundantly in patients with RA and is associated with induction of IFN-γ and activity of the disease.
