Objective To identify the potential long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expressed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium key to RA onset and investigate its association with immune cell infiltration. Methods RA synovium data were downloaded from the GEO database and normalized. The lncRNAs key to RA onset were identified using multiple machine learning methods. Infiltration of 22 immune cell populations in RA synovium was measured by cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts (CIBER-SORT). The relationship between the key lncRNA and infiltrating immune cells was analyzed. Finally, real-time quantitative PCR was applied to validate the expression of the key lncRNA in RA synovial cells. Results lncRNA human leukocyte antigen complex P5(HCP5) was identified as the key lncRNA associated with RA onset. Infiltration analysis revealed increased abundance of CD8⁺ T cells, γδ T cells, and M1 macrophages while decreased abundance of M2 macrophages in RA synovial tissue. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the lncRNA HCP5 expression was positively associated with the infiltration abundance of CD8⁺ T cells, γδ T cells, and M1 macrophages in RA synovial tissue. Furthermore,the expression of lncRNA HCP5 in RA synovial cells was up-regulated. Conclusion lncRNA HCP5 expression is up-regulated in RA synovial tissue and potentially associated with immune cells infiltration.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; HLA Antigens/metabolism* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Synovial Membrane/metabolism*

Humans ; Synovial Fluid ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Exosomes/genetics* ; Osteoarthritis/genetics* ; Synovial Membrane

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of chemokine receptor CCR10 on monocytes/macrophages in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to investigate the role of chemokine CCL28 and its receptor CCR10 in the migration of RA monocytes and its mechanism. METHODS: The expression of CCR10 in synovial tissues from 8 RA patients, 4 osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and 4 normal controls was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and cell staining was scored on a 0-5 scales. Flow cytometry was used to measure the percentage of CCR10 positive cells in CD14⁺ monocytes from peripheral blood of 26 RA patients and 20 healthy controls, as well as from synovial fluid of 15 RA patients. The chemotactic migration of monocytes from RA patients and healthy controls in response to CCL28 was evaluated using an in vitro Transwell system. Western blotting was conducted to assess phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (Akt) pathways in RA monocytes upon CCL28 treatment. RESULTS: CCR10 was predominantly expressed in RA synovial lining cells and sublining macrophages, endothelial cells, and lymphocytes. CCR10 expression was significantly increased on lining cells and sublining macrophages in RA synovial tissue compared with OA and normal synovial tissue (both P < 0.01). The patients with RA had markedly elevated expression of CCR10 on peripheral blood CD14⁺ monocytes compared with the healthy controls [(15.6±3.0)% vs. (7.7±3.8)%, P < 0.01]. CCR10 expression on synovial fluid monocytes from the RA patients was (32.0±15.0)%, which was significantly higher than that on RA peripheral blood monocytes (P < 0.01). In vitro, CCL28 caused significant migration of CD14⁺ monocytes from peripheral blood of the RA patients and the healthy controls at concentrations ranging from 10-100 μg/L (all P < 0.01). The presence of neutralizing antibody to CCR10 greatly suppressed CCL28-driven chemotaxis of RA monocytes (P < 0.01). Stimulation of RA monocytes with CCL28 induced a remarkable increase in phosphorylation of ERK and Akt (both P < 0.05). ERK inhibitor (U0126) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor (LY294002) strongly reduced the migration of RA monocytes in response to CCL28 (both P < 0.01). CONCLUSION RA patients had increased CCR10 expression on peripheral blood, synovial fluid, and synovial tissue monocytes/macrophages. CCL28 ligation to CCR10 promoted RA monocyte migration through activation of the ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. The CCL28-CCR10 pathway could participate in monocyte recruitment into RA joints, thereby contributing to synovial inflammation and bone destruction.
Humans ; Monocytes/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Synovial Membrane ; Chemokines, CC/metabolism* ; Synovial Fluid ; Osteoarthritis ; Receptors, CCR10/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of triptolide (TPL) on inflammatory response and migration of fibroblast like synovial cells (FLS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA-FLS) and the mechanism of circular noncoding RNA (circRNA) 0003353 for mediating this effect. METHODS: We collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum samples from 50 hospitalized RA patients and 30 healthy individuals for detecting the expression of circRNA 0003353, immune and inflammatory indexes (ESR, CRP, RF, anti-CCP, IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, and C4) and DAS28 score. Cultured RA-FLS was treated with 10 ng/mL TPL and transfected with a circRNA 0003353 overexpression plasmid, and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Transwell assay were used to detect the changes in the viability and migration of the cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to examine the cytokines IL-4, IL-6, and IL-17, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the expression of circRNA 003353; Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of p-JAK2, pSTAT3, JAK2 and STAT3 proteins in the treated cells. RESULTS: The expression of circRNA 0003353 was significantly increased in PBMCs from RA patients and showed a good performance in assisting the diagnosis of RA (AUC=90.5%, P < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.83-0.98). CircRNA 0003353 expression was positively correlated with ESR, RF and DAS28 (P < 0.05). Treatment with TPL significantly decreased the expression of circRNA 0003353, suppressed the viability and migration ability, decreased the expressions of IL-6 and IL-17, and increased the expression IL-4 in cultured RA-FLS in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.01). TNF-α stimulation of RA-FLS significantly increased the ratios of p-JAK2/JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3, which were obviously lowered by TPL treatment (P < 0.01). TPL-treated RA-FLS overexpressing circRNA 0003353 showed significantly increased cell viability and migration ability with decreased IL-4 expression and increased IL-6 and IL-17 expressions and ratios of p-JAK2/ JAK2 and p-STAT3/STAT3 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The expression of circRNA 0003353 is increased in PBMCs in RA patients and in RA-FLS. TPL treatment can regulate JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway and inhibit the inflammatory response and migration of RA-FLS through circRNA 0003353.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Epoxy Compounds/pharmacology* ; Fibroblasts/pathology* ; Humans ; Interleukin-17/metabolism* ; Interleukin-4/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Janus Kinase 2/metabolism* ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism* ; Phenanthrenes/pharmacology* ; RNA, Circular/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Synovial Membrane/pathology*

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease. MicroRNA has been shown to play an important role in RA. MicroRNA-124a (miR-124a) has anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects in RA fibroblast synovial cells. This study aims to explore the effects of miR-124a overexpression on arthritis in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Bovine type II collagen and complete Ferris adjuvant were used to induce CIA model from DBA/1 mice. Twenty-eight days after initial immunization (D28), CIA mice were randomly divided into a model group, a miR-124a treatment group, and a negative control (NC) group. Physiological saline, miR-124a agomir, and miR-124a agomir NC were injected into the skin at the tail root of mice every 3 days for 4 times, respectively. The degree of joint swelling and arthritis index of mice were recorded accordingly. Sixty-three days after initial immunization (D63), the mice were sacrificed to obtain the synovial tissue of ankle joint. HE staining was used to observe the proliferation of synovial cell, infiltration of inflammatory cell, pannus, and bone erosion of synovial tissues; TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis; qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of miR-124a, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) and its downstream genes Bcl-2 and Bax. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of PIK3CA, Bcl-2, and Bax protein in synovial tissues of each group. RESULTS: Different degrees of swelling presented in the paws of DBA/1 mice at D28, which indicated the CIA model was constructed successfully. Forty-eight days after initial immunization (D48), the paws of mice in the miR-124a treatment group were only slightly red and swollen, while the paws of mice in the model group and the NC group were obviously red and swollen. The arthritis index of mice in the miR-124a treatment group were decreased significantly compared to the NC group at D51, D53, D59, and D62 (51, 53, 59, 62 days after initial immunization) (all P<0.05). Sixty-three days after initial immunization (D63), HE staining indicated that the scores of synovial cell proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, synovial pannus, and bone erosion were significantly reduced in the miR-124a treatment group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while cell apoptosis was increased in the miR-124a treatment group compared with the model group and NC group (P<0.01 or P<0.001). Besides, the expression of miR-124a and Bax in the synovial tissue in miR-124a treatment group was significantly higher than those in the model group and NC group (P<0.01 or P<0.001), while the expressions of PIK3CA and Bcl-2 were decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01 or P<0.001), and the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax was significantly decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of miR-124a can reduce arthritis in CIA mice bacause it could promote synovial cell apoptosis and inhibit synovial cell proliferation via targeting PIK3CA and regulating its downstream pathways.
Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics* ; Cattle ; Cell Proliferation ; Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Synovial Membrane ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*

The aim of this paper was to observe the effect of Xinfeng Capsules(XFC)-containing serum on the apoptosis and inflammation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes(FLS) in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) induced by tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), so as to investigate the mechanism of XFC in the treatment of RA. RA-FLS immortalized cell line was established, and XFC drug-containing serum was prepared. CCK-8, ELISA, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence and TUNEL were used to observe the effect of XFC-containing serum on RA-FLS apoptosis and inflammatory indexes. CCK-8 results showed that the optimal concentration and time of TNF-α on RA-FLS were 10 ng·mL~(-1) and 48 h, respectively; and the optimal concentration and time of XFC on RA-FLS were 6.48 mg·g~(-1) and 72 h, respectively. The results of ELISA showed that compared with RA-FLS group, the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 in TNF-α+RA-FLS group were significantly increased, while the expressions of IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly decreased(P<0.01); after intervention with XFC-containing serum, the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 were significantly decreased, whereas the expressions of IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly increased(P<0.01). The results of RT-qPCR showed that compared with RA-FLS group, the mRNA expressions of Fas, FasL, caspase-3, caspase-8, Bax, Bcl-X1 in TNF-α+RA-FLS group were significantly decreased, while the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased(P<0.001); after intervention with XFC-containing serum, the mRNA expressions of Fas, FasL, caspase-3, caspase-8, Bax, Bcl-X1 were significantly increased, whereas the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased(P<0.01). The results of immunofluorescence showed that compared with RA-FLS group, the protein expressions of caspase-3 and Bax in TNF-α+RA-FLS group was significantly lower than those in RA-FLS group(P<0.05); after intervention with XFC-containing serum, the protein expressions of caspase-3 and Bax were significantly increased, whereas the protein expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased(P<0.05). TUNEL results showed that compared with RA-FLS group, the apoptosis of TNF-α+RA-FLS group was decreased(P<0.05); after intervention with XFC-containing serum, the apoptosis was significantly increased(P<0.05). One of the mechanisms of XFC in the treatment of RA is to promote the apoptosis of RA-FLS and inhibit its inflammatory reaction.
Apoptosis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics* ; Capsules ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Synovial Membrane ; Synoviocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of decoction (DGNTD) on cell apoptosis and TNF receptor super family 6 (Fas)/caspase-8 pathway in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). METHODS: FLS isolated from the synovial tissue of RA patients were cultured and identified using immunofluorescence staining. The cells were treated with 10% blank serum (blank control group), 10% sera containing low, moderate or high doses of DGNTD, or 20 μmol/mL KR-33493 (a Fas inhibitor) combined with 10% serum containing high-dose DGNTD. MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation of the cells after the treatments. Apoptosis of the cells was detected at 48 h in each group using Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The mRNA and protein expressions of Fas, FADD, caspase-8 and caspase-3 in the cells at 48 h were detected using qPCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Immunofluorescence staining identified the cultured cells as FLS. Treatment with DGNTD-containing sera significantly inhibited the proliferation of FLS, and the inhibitory effects were enhanced as the dose and intervention time increased ( < 0.05). Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry showed that the sera containing different doses of DGNTD significantly promoted apoptosis of FLS ( < 0.05). The expression levels of Fas, FADD, caspase-8, and caspase-3 at both mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased in the cells after treatment with different doses of DGNTD-containing sera ( < 0.05). The application of KR-33493 obviously reversed the effects of DGNTD on the FLS ( < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS DGNTD can induce apoptosis of the FLS by activating Fas/caspase-8 signaling pathway.
Apoptosis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Caspase 8 ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; Synovial Membrane ; Synoviocytes

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in the synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJSC), and to discuss the possible interactions between COMP, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β3, TGF-β1 and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in the development of this neoplastic disease. METHODS: Patients in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from January 2011 to February 2020 were selected, who had complete medical records, TMJSC was verified histologically after operation. The expressions of COMP, TGF-β3, TGF-β1 and BMP-2 in the TMJSC of the temporomandibular joint were detected by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) at the protein level and mRNA level respectively, compared with the normal synovial tissue of temporomandibular joint. The histological morphology, protein expression and distribution of TMJSC tissues were observed microscopically, and the positive staining proteins were counted and scored. SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used to analyze the expression differences between the related proteins in TMJSC tissue and the normal synovial tissue of temporomandibular joint and to compare their differences. P < 0.05 indicated that the difference was statistically significant. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical results showed that the positive expression of COMP in TMJSC tissues was mostly found in synovial tissues and chondrocytes adjacent to synovial tissues, and the difference was statistically significant, compared with the normal temporomandibular joint synovial tissues. The positive expression of COMP was significantly different between recurrent TMJSC and non-recurrent ones. The positive expressions of TGF-β3, TGF-β1 and BMP-2 were higher than the normal synovial tissue, and were also mostly found in the synovial cells and adjacent chondrocytes, which was further confirmed by Western blot. According to the RT-PCR results, the expressions of COMP, TGF-β3, TGF-β1 and BMP-2 in TMJSC were higher than those in the normal synovial tissue. CONCLUSION The expression of COMP in TMJSC of temporomandibular joint increased significantly, compared with the normal synovial tissue. There may be interactions between COMP and cytokines related to the proliferation and differentiation, like TGF-β3, TGF-β1 and BMP-2, which may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of TMJSC.
Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein/genetics* ; Chondromatosis, Synovial ; Humans ; Synovial Membrane ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Transforming Growth Factor beta3

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxibustion on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin protein (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway in the foot-pad synovial tissue in rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion for treating RA. METHODS: Forty healthy SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a moxibustion group, a cigarette-moxibustion group and a medication group, 8 rats in each group. The RA model was established with subcutaneous injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in the left hind foot-pad under wind, cold and wet environment in the model group, the moxibustion group, the cigarette-moxibustion group and the medication group. The rats in the moxibustion group were treated with moxibustion at "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 20 min; the rats in the cigarette-moxibustion group were treated with moxibustion of ordinary cigarette at "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 20 min; the rats in the medication group were treated with tripterygium glycosides suspension (0.8 mg/100 g) by gavage. All the intervention was given once a day for 15 days. The left hind foot-pad volume was measured before and after modeling and after 15-day intervention. After 15-day intervention, the serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were detected by ELISA method, and the expression levels of PI3K, Akt and mTOR in synovial tissue of left hind foot-pad were detected by Western blot method. RESULTS: The volume of left hind foot-pad, the serum levels of IL-23 and IL-17 and the expression of PI3K, Akt and mTOR in synovial tissue of left hind foot-pad in the model group were higher than those in the control group ( CONCLUSION Moxibustion may play a therapeutic effect on RA by inhibiting the level of IL-23, IL-17 and the activity PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and regulating inflammatory response and autophagy.
Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/therapy* ; Moxibustion ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Synovial Membrane ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

OBJECTIVE: To observe effects of (, TLZT) gel preparation on p53, miR-502-5p, NF-κBp65 in synovial tissue of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and to explore mechanism of TLZT gel preparation in treating KOA. METHODS: Thirthy-six Wistar rats aged 8 weeks and weighed 200 to 220 g (meaned 208 g) were randomly divided into normal group, model group and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group, 12 rats in each group. KOA model was established by modified Hulth method. After 4 weeks of modeling, TCM group treated with TLZT gel preparation for external use, 3 times daily for 2 weeks;normal group and model group were fed normally without intervention. After treatment, morphological changes of specimens in each group were observed, changes of miR-502-5p in synovial tissue were detected by qPCR, and contents of p53, NF-κBp65, IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-13 in synovial tissue were detected by qPCR and Western Blot respectively. RESULTS: (1)Morphological observation of specimens showed that the articular cartilage in model group was hyaline and uneven, the synovial membranes were hypertrophic and proliferative with a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrating, the joint fluid was thicker in texture;the articular cartilage in TCM group was more transparent and smooth, synovial hyperplasia was mild with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration, the texture of articular fluid was clear and sparse. (2) Compared with normal group, content of miR-502-5p of synovial tissue in model and TCM group were increased, mRNA and expression of p53 decreased, expression of NF-κBp65, IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-13 increased. (3)Compared with model group, content of miR-502-5p in synovial tissue of TCM group decreased (<0.05), mRNA and protein expression of p53 increased (<0.05), mRNA and protein expression of NF-κBp65, IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-13 decreased (<0.05). CONCLUSION Expression of p53, miR-502 -5p, NF -κBp65 in synovial tissue is closely related to synovial hyperplasia and inflammatory reaction, TLZT gel preparation may reduce proliferation and inflammatory reaction of KOA synovium by regulating the expression of p53, miR- 502-5p, NF-κBp65 in synovial tissues.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; MicroRNAs ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Synovial Membrane ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53