Rheumatoid Arthritis: Xiong M

Xiong M, Song C, Lin J, Song L. · Sun Yat-sen Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080. · Zhong Yao Cai. · Pubmed #15562720 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of tongbiling, a complex preparation of Chinese traditional medicine, on the expression of MCP-1 mRNA of synovial cells in rats with adjuvant arthritis. METHOD: The expression level of MCP-1 mRNA in synoviocytes from rats with adjuvant arthritis was assayed by the method of RT-PCR. RESULT: The amounts of MCP-1 mRNA expression in synoviocytes from rats with adjuvant arthritis were distinctly decreased by tongbiling. It suggested that tongbiling had inhibition effect on rheumatoid arthritis by a down regulation for the expression of MCP-1 mRNA in the inflamed synoviocytes.

Gu J, Rihl M, Märker-Hermann E, Baeten D, Kuipers JG, Song YW, Maksymowych WP, Burgos-Vargas R, Veys EM, De Keyser F, Deister H, Xiong M, Huang F, Tsai WC, Yu DT. · University of California Los Angeles, 90095, USA. · J Rheumatol. · Pubmed #12375327 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To use gene expression profiles of spondyloarthropathy (SpA) synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC) to determine if there are transcripts that support the unfolded protein response (UPR) hypothesis, and to identify which cytokines/chemokines are being expressed and which cell fractions are involved. METHODS: Gene expression profiles were generated by microarray screening of SFMC of 5 patients with SpA, 5 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 6 controls. Results were validated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using samples from a larger panel of subjects. RESULTS: The repertoires of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines expressed by SpA and RA SFMC were very similar: monocyte chemotractant protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin 8 (IL-8), IL-1beta, endothelial-monocyte activating polypeptide II, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. MCP-1 was highly expressed in SpA SFMC. There was enhanced expression of immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP) in SpA, which is compatible with the UPR hypothesis. BiP was most highly expressed in the adherent fraction of SpA SFMC. CONCLUSION: Previous data postulating UPR in SpA are based on in vitro experiments with transfected cell lines. Our patient derived data suggest that it also occurs in vivo in the macrophages of SpA joints.

Gu J, Märker-Hermann E, Baeten D, Tsai WC, Gladman D, Xiong M, Deister H, Kuipers JG, Huang F, Song YW, Maksymowych W, Kalsi J, Bannai M, Seta N, Rihl M, Crofford LJ, Veys E, De Keyser F, Yu DT. · University of California at Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. · Rheumatology (Oxford). · Pubmed #12096225 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To identify genes which are more highly expressed in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with spondyloarthropathy (SpA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), in comparison to normal subjects. METHODS: A 588-gene microarray was used as a screening tool to select a panel of such genes from PBMC of these subjects and of normal subjects. Results were then validated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The following genes were more highly expressed in arthritis patients than in normal subjects: macrophage differentiation marker MNDA (myeloid nuclear differentiation antigen), MRP8 and MRP14 (migratory inhibitory factor-related proteins); signalling molecules JAK3 (janus kinase 3) and MAP kinase p38 (mitogen-activated protein kinase); receptors TNFR2/p75, C-C-chemokine receptor type 1 (CCR1), C-X-C-chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and integrin beta1; and the cytokines/chemokines interleukin (IL) 1beta and IL-8. Expression of CXCR4 was unexpectedly high among all arthritis subjects. Using RT-PCR, ELISA and immunohistology, expression of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) was demonstrated in arthritis joints. CONCLUSIONS: The CXCR4/SDF-1 is a potential pro-inflammatory axis for RA, PsA and SpA.