Positive association between serum thymic stromal lymphopoietin and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Summary Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has been suggested recently to play an important role in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there is little information on serum TSLP concentrations in RA and its clinical significance. The present study investigated whether serum TSLP concentrations were affected in patients with RA. Using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we measured TSLP concentrations in the serum obtained from 100 patients with RA, 60 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 34 healthy volunteers. We also investigated the correlation between serum TSLP concentrations and clinical parameters of disease activity in RA [disease activity score using 28 joint counts (DAS28)‐C‐reactive protein (CRP), DAS28‐erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI]), patient's/‐physician's Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), swollen joints count, tender joints count, CRP, ESR and matrix metalloproteinase‐3 (MMP‐3) concentrations]. In addition, we investigated the correlation between serum TSLP concentrations and anti‐citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) and serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. Serum TSLP levels in patients with RA were significantly higher than those in patients with OA and in healthy volunteers. Interestingly, serum TSLP concentrations were correlated significantly with ACPA titres, but not with other clinical parameters. There was a significant increase in serum TSLP concentrations in patients with RA, which was correlated positively with serum ACPA titres. These findings suggest that in patients with RA, TSLP may play a role in ACPA production by B cells.

TWEAK and TSLP in disc degeneration and spontaneous hernia resorption

“…TNF-α stimulation of synovial cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients induces expression of TSLP, and the blood concentration of TSLP in rheumatoid arthritis patients is elevated compared with the concentration in patients with an osteoarthritic knee. 22,23 In a subsequent study, 9 we found that TSLP was highly expressed in surgical samples of patients with disc herniation, and that the supernatants of TSLP-activated mouse intervertebral disc cultures had the capacity to induce macrophage migration in an MCP-1-dependent manner in vitro. 9 It will be of great importance in the field of orthopedics to elucidate how TSLP is involved in inflammatory mechanisms in osteochondral tissue.…”

“…21 Its potential as a therapeutic target is being actively pursued. 21 TSLPs are produced by epithelial cells in response to exogenous stimuli such as allergens and microbial infections, 22,23 upon which immunocompetent cells such as dendritic cells, mast cells, and eosinophils are activated through activation of TSLP receptors. 24 TSLP is highly expressed in diseased tissues of patients with allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis, and analysis using genetically modified mice revealed that the action of TSLP is required to produce antigen-specific allergic conditions.…”

“…TNF-α stimulation of synovial cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients induces expression of TSLP, and the blood concentration of TSLP in rheumatoid arthritis patients is elevated compared with the concentration in patients with an osteoarthritic knee. 22,23 Angiogenesis is a key pathophysiology in many inflammatory diseases such as tumors and traumas. [26][27][28] In our previous work, we have clarified that neovascularization occurs in the process of natural regression of intervertebral disc herniation.…”

“…Its potential as a therapeutic target is being actively pursued . TSLPs are produced by epithelial cells in response to exogenous stimuli such as allergens and microbial infections, upon which immunocompetent cells such as dendritic cells, mast cells, and eosinophils are activated through activation of TSLP receptors …”

Publications from Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2015 [5/6]

“…Hatori K, Terakado A, Izawa N: Effectiveness of interdisciplinary team conference to manage skeletal related events in rehabilitation for patients with cancer: Juntendo Medical Journal, 2015; 61: 426-436. 13…”