白细胞介素-18在类风湿关节炎外周血单个核细胞中的表达

Expression of interleukin-18 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

目的 探讨类风湿关节炎 (RA)外周血白细胞介素 18(IL 18)的表达及其与Th1/Th2平衡和疾病活动的关系。方法 以 β actin为内参照 ,用半定量反转录多聚酶链反应 (RT PCR)法测定 16例RA患者及 15名正常对照外周血单个核细胞 (PBMC)中IL 18、IL 4、IFN γmRNA水平 ,观察IL 18与IL 4、IFN γ及疾病活动指标红细胞沉降率 (ESR)、C反应蛋白 (CRP)的相关性。结果 ①RA患者PBMC中IL 18mRNA表达与正常组相比增高非常显著 (1 82± 0 39比 0 45± 0 30 ,P <0 0 0 1)。②RA组IFN γ、IL 4均显著高于对照组 ,但IL 4/IFN γ显著低于对照组。③相关分析显示 :RA组IL 18mRNA与IFN γ、ESR显著正相关 (16例 ,r分别为 0 836 ,0 75 3,P均 <0 0 5 )。结论 RA患者外周血IL 18mRNA表达水平显著高于正常对照组 ,且与RA患者外周血IFN γ的产生及疾病活动性相关。

Objective To further investigate the balance (relative presence) of Th1 and Th2 subsets at the sites of rheumatoid inflammation,and to understand how about the expression of IL 18 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA),and what the relationship exists between expression of IL 18 and rate of Th1/Th2 in RA,and between IL 18 level and activity of the disease.Method Expression of IFN γ,IL 4,and IL 18 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 16 patients with RA and 15 healthy subjects was detected by semi quantitative RT PCR.Results ① PBMC from patients with RA was found to contain greater levels of IL 18 mRNA than that from healthy subjects ( P <0 01).② IL 18 mRNA levels were correlated with IFN γ mRNA (relative coefficients: r =0 836, P <0 05).③ IL 18 mRNA levels were associated with the disease activity as assessed by levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( r =0 753, P <0 05).Conclusion IL 18 is among a matrix of inflammatory cytokines produced abundantly in patients with RA and is associated with induction of IFN γ and activity of the disease.