Proinflammatory cytoline production and cartilage damage due to rheumatoid synovial T helper-1 activation is inhibited by interleukin-4

Article Abstract:

Interleukin-4 (IL-4), an immune response protein, may play a role in reducing inflammation and repairing cartilage damage possibly initiated by T helper-1 (Th1) cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Levels of proteoglycans, which are protein and sugar compounds in cartilage, are indicators of cartilage health. Researchers isolated synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMNC) from the knees of 15 patients with RA and knee cartilage samples from 8 cadavers. They studied the response of SFMNC to bacterial and IL-4 stimulation and measured the rates of proteoglycan production in the cartilage samples responding to IL-4 and SFMNC stimulation. In response to SFMNC stimulated by bacteria, proteoglycan production decreased by an average of 42% in 7 of the 10 cartilage samples. After adding IL-4 to these 7 samples, proteoglycan production increased up to 82%. These 7 samples also had elevated levels of Th1 indicators. There was no effect on proteoglycan production in samples mixed with unstimulated SFMNC.

Synovial fluid

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Decrease in peripheral type 1 over type 2 T cell cytokine production in patients with rheumatoid arthritis correlates with an increase in severity of disease

Article Abstract:

An imbalance in type 1 (T1) and type 2 (T2) T cell activities in the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be related to the severity of joint destruction resulting from the disease. Blood samples from 66 patients with RA, 19 patients with osteoarthritis, and 15 healthy individuals were assessed for T cell products associated with the two types of cells. Significantly higher amounts of T2 cell products and less T1 cell products were found in the patients with RA. The abnormal levels were connected to the amount of joint destruction observed.

Measurement, T cells

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The immune suppressive effect of dexamethasone in rheumatoid arthritis is accompanied by upregulation of interleukin 10 and by differential changes in interferon gamma and interleukin 4 production

Article Abstract:

Dexamethasone produces a sustained increase in interleukin 10 levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Researchers measured changes in immune factors induced by corticosteroid therapy for the autoimmune, inflammatory joint disease. In conjunction with a decrease in disease symptoms, dexamethasone caused interleukin 10 production to increase and interferon gamma levels to fall. Interleukin 4 levels fell slightly. These changes indicate an immune suppression.

Netherlands, Drug therapy, Corticosteroids, Adrenocortical hormones, Interferon gamma, Dexamethasone, Interleukin-10

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