High levels of Lymphotoxin-Beta (LT-Beta) gene expression in rheumatoid arthritis synovium: clinical and cytokine correlations

Rheumatol Int. 2008 Aug;28(10):979-86. doi: 10.1007/s00296-008-0574-z. Epub 2008 Apr 1.

Abstract

Lymphotoxin-Beta (LT-Beta) is implicated in lymphoid follicle development, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and can enhance the proliferation of fibroblasts and synoviocytes. The objective of this study was to investigate LT-Beta and LT-BetaReceptor (LT-BetaR) gene expression in RA patient synovium and blood samples compared with control individuals, and correlate with LT-Alpha and TNF-Alpha gene expression and disease parameters. RT-PCR was used to investigate the gene expression of LT-Beta, LT-BetaR, TNF-Alpha and LT-Alpha in the blood and synovium of RA patients and a control group of individuals. LT-Beta gene expression was significantly higher in RA patient synovium compared to control synovium (P = 0.005). There was a significant positive correlation between LT-Beta and LT-Alpha gene expression in both the synovium (P = 0.001) and blood (P = 0.002) of RA patients. LT-Beta gene expression was significantly higher in RA patient synovial samples that were inflamed to a moderately severe degree compared to those inflamed to a minimal degree (P = 0.02). Analysis of clinical variables revealed a significant positive correlation between LT-BetaR gene expression in RA patient synovium and Pain VAS Score (P = 0.01) and also HAQ Score (P = 0.01). Increased LT-Beta gene expression occurs in RA synovium and correlates with the degree of inflammation. LT-Beta may play a role in RA disease pathogenesis by contributing to a more intense inflammatory reaction in the synovium.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / physiopathology*
  • Gene Expression / immunology
  • Humans
  • Lymphotoxin beta Receptor / blood
  • Lymphotoxin beta Receptor / genetics
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha / blood
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha / genetics
  • Lymphotoxin-beta / blood
  • Lymphotoxin-beta / genetics*
  • Synovial Membrane / immunology*
  • Synovial Membrane / physiology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics

Substances

  • LTB protein, human
  • Lymphotoxin beta Receptor
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha
  • Lymphotoxin-beta
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha