Objective : To investigate the expression and clinical significance of tryptophan⁃2 ,3 ⁃dioxygenase⁃2 (TDO2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC) and synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) . Methods : A total of 40 RA patients were selected as the RA group , and 36 healthy subjects were selected as the normal control group during the same period. In RA group and control group PBMC , TDO2 expression was detected by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence was applied to observe TDO2 expression in synovial tissue of RA groups and control group. The correlation was analyzed between TDO2 expression in PBMC and their inflammatory indicators of RA groups. Results : Compared with control group , TDO2 expression in RA group PBMC and synovial tissue significantly increased (P < 0. 001) ; TDO2 expression in RA group PBMC was positively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ( r = 0. 405 , P = 0. 045) . Conclusion The expression of TDO2 is up⁃regulated in RA patients PBMC and synovial tissue , and positively correlates with inflammatory indicators ESR , suggesting that TDO2 may participate in RA disease progression.

Objective : To explore the changes of tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase 2(TDO2) expression and its mediated kynurenine(Kyn) pathway in different inflammatory stages(initial period, peak period and remission period) of adjuvant arthritis in rats. Methods: A rat model of AA was established.AA rats were sacrificed at different stages of inflammation.The pathological changes of joint synovium and liver were observed by HE staining; TDO2 expression in joint synovial tissue and liver tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry; High performance liquid chromatography was used to detect tryptophan(Trp) and Kyn levels in serum and liver. Results : Compared with the normal group, AA rats showed similar clinical and pathological features to RA.The expression of TDO2 in rat joint synovium and liver tissue increased during the peak period and remission period(P<0.05).Trp levels in serum of AA rats at each inflammation stage decreased, and Kyn levels increased in the initial stage(P<0.01);Trp levels in the liver tissues of rats at the peak period decreased, Kyn levels increased, and Kyn/Trp ratio increased(P<0.01). Conclusion TDO2 may play an important role in the peak period of AA,and mediate Kyn metabolism to participate in the occurrence and development of RA.