Increased production of circulating soluble co-stimulatory molecules CTLA-4, CD28 and CD80 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

• Published in: International immunopharmacology Vol. 14; no. 4; pp. 585 - 592
• Main Authors: Cao, Ju, Zou, Lin, luo, Peixin, Chen, Pu, Zhang, Liping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 01.12.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Arthritis, Rheumatoid - blood; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - metabolism; Autoantibodies; B7-1 Antigen - genetics; B7-1 Antigen - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; CD28 antigen; CD28 Antigens - genetics; CD28 Antigens - metabolism; CD80 antigen; CD86 antigen; Co-stimulatory molecules; CTLA-4 Antigen - genetics; CTLA-4 Antigen - metabolism; CTLA-4 protein; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Female; Gene Expression Regulation - physiology; Humans; Immune response; Immunoregulation; Immunosuppressive agents; Inflammation; Inflammatory joint diseases; Joint diseases; leflunomide; Lymphocytes T; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Rheumatoid arthritis; Co-stimulatory molecules; Inflammation; Immune response; Rheumatoid arthritis; Human; Immunopathology; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Autoimmune disease; Inflammatory joint disease; Biosynthesis; Soluble form; Costimulatory molecule; Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4; Chronic; B7-1 Molecule; Production
• ISSN: 1567-5769; 1878-1705; 1878-1705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2012.08.004

Co-stimulatory molecules are key immunoregulatory mediators in regulating T lymphocyte-mediated immune responses and inflammatory reactions. Here we investigated whether there is altered expression and the clinical significance of circulating soluble co-stimulatory molecules in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Serum concentrations of sCTLA-4, sCD28, sCD80 and sCD86 in 56 RA patients, and 32 sex- and age-matched control subjects were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that serum sCTLA-4, sCD28, and CD80 but not CD86 concentrations in all RA patients were significantly higher than concentrations in healthy control subjects. And there was significant and positive correlation between serum CTLA-4 and sCD28, sCD28 and sCD80, or sCTLA-4 and sCD80 in all RA patients. Serum sCTLA-4 concentration in all RA patients correlated significantly with disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28). Moreover, immunosuppressant treatment with leflunomide could downregulate the increased levels of sCTLA-4, sCD28, and CD80 in RA patients. Therefore, the elevated production of circulating soluble T-cell co-stimulatory molecules should contribute to the pathogenesis of RA, and serum sCTLA-4 could potentially serve as a new marker of RA disease activity. ► Serum sCTLA-4, sCD28 and CD80 concentrations were elevated in RA patients. ► Serum sCTLA-4 concentration in RA patients correlated significantly with DAS28. ► Serum sCTLA-4 could potentially serve as a new marker of RA disease activity.