Is interleukin-17 implicated in early knee osteoarthritis pathogenesis as in rheumatoid arthritis?

Abstract

Background Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a cytokine that promotes activation of multiple catabolic pathways resulting in cartilage and tissue damage. It has features making it increasingly attractive as a biological marker, especially in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). However, its expression is heterogeneous; not all patients’ exhibit high IL-17 levels, and its level along the disease course is still challenging to predict. Aim of the work The objectives of this study were to compare serum IL-17 levels in patients with early knee OA and in RA patients, to determine its correlation with disease activity in RA and to determine if it is correlated with functional scores in both RA and OA. Subjects and methods Twenty early knee OA patients (32.7 ± 3.7) years were included. Diagnosis of early OA was based on Luyten et al. 2012 early knee OA classification (early OA 2012). This study also included 25 RA patients aged 32.8 ± 5.1 years, and the diagnosis was according to 2010 ACR-EULAR classification criteria for RA. The current work also included a control group of 20 healthy volunteers aged 31.9 ± 3.2 years. The serum IL-17 level was assessed by using the ELISA technique. Results Serum IL-17 level was significantly high in early knee OA patients (5.2 pg/ml) and was significantly higher in RA patients (5.9 pg/ml) compared to the control group (4.9 pg/ml) (P < 0.001). Conclusions The increased serum IL-17 level in patients with early knee OA suggests its pathogenic role in the disease. Serum IL-17 positive correlation with the severity of knee OA-related pain proposes that it may be a potential marker to target for early treatment of knee OA-related pain.

The Role of Tocotrienol in Arthritis Management—A Scoping Review of Literature

“…IL-1β drives aggrecan degradation, as it stimulates the production of an aggrecanase known as a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif (ADAMTS5). IL-17, an inflammatory cytokine that is secreted by Th17, mast cells and myeloid cells, is elevated in the serum of OA patients [ 62 ]. IL-17 results in cartilage degradation and favors inflammation by stimulating synovial fibroblasts and chondrocytes to release IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α [ 63 ].…”

Morphological and Mechanical Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles and Parent Human Synoviocytes under Physiological and Inflammatory Conditions

“…IL-17 and TNF-α also have synergistic effects on the production of other cytokines in synoviocytes [ 40 ]. Several studies have also revealed that IL-17 is involved in OA pathogenesis and may constitute an interesting target [ 41 , 42 , 43 ], although studies on OA pathophysiology have focused more on cartilage degeneration and osteophytes, rather than on the inflamed and thickened synovium. FLS produce a series of pro-inflammatory regulators, which are positively associated with the clinical symptoms of OA, such as inflammatory pain, joint swelling, and disease development [ 20 ].…”