Context: Programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5), a novel apoptotic regulatory gene, has been reported to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), which can regulate the apoptosis of synoviocytes and chondrocytes cultured in vitro.
Objective: To study expression characteristic of PDCD5 in plasma and synovial fluid of RA patients, and analyze its correlation with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and disease activity in RA.
Methods: A total of 135 subjects were recruited into this study (44 RA patients, 46 OA patients and 45 healthy controls). PDCD5 and TNF-α concentrations in plasma and synovial fluid were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: Plasma and synovial fluid PDCD5 concentrations were significantly elevated in RA patients. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that plasma and synovial fluid PDCD5 levels were inversely correlated with TNF-α. Moreover, plasma PDCD5 levels were also inversely correlated with C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Conclusion: Plasma and synovial fluid PDCD5 could be useful for monitoring the activity and progression of RA, and its abnormal expression and dysfunction may be correlated to TNF-α in RA patients.