CCR9+CD4+ T Cells Are Associated with Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Overview

Journal Medicine (Baltimore)

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2024 Apr 19

PMID 38640336

Authors

Geng Lina

Qiang Cuixin

Zhang Xia

Yang Jing

Li Zhirong

Ouyang Zirou

Li Jiayiren

Zhang Yulian

Huo Qiuyue

Li Qianqing

Liu Yan

Qin Pu

Zhang Bin

Zhao Jianhong

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

An increase in CD4+ T cells in the synovium is closely linked to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to identify the possible causes of the elevated CD4+ T cell levels and to explore the factors influencing disease activity in RA. Fifty-five RA patients, including 28 with active RA (ARA), 27 with inactive RA, and 22 healthy controls, were recruited for this study. The proportion of CCR9+CD4+ T cells and the expression of chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) on CD4+ T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescent immunoassay were used to evaluate interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-6 levels, respectively. The proportion of CCR9+CD4+ T cells and the expression of CCR9 on CD4+ T cells increased significantly in peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) in ARA compared to those in inactive RA. Furthermore, SF contained more CCR9+CD4+ T cells, IL-6, and IL-17A than PB in RA patients. Moreover, CD4+ T cells in the PB of patients with RA, especially ARA, expressed more CCR9 and secreted more IL-6 and IL-17A after activation. Here, we also demonstrated that both the percentage of CCR9+ cells in CD4+ T cells and the expression of CCR9 on circulating CD4+ T cells were positively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody. CCR9+CD4+ T cells are elevated in PB and SF, and are associated with disease activity in patients with RA.

Citing Articles

Paramyosin Alleviates Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice by Modulating CD4 T Cell Differentiation.

Zhang D, Jiang W, Yu Y, Huang J, Jia Z, Cheng Y Int J Mol Sci. 2024; 25(12).

PMID: 38928413 PMC: 11204176. DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126706.

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