Transcription Factor Assay of Peripheral Blood T cells in Different Groups of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints and other tissues and organs of the body. Previous reports have demonstrated the imbalance of T helper (Th) subsets and Treg activity in the development, progression, and remission of RA. Here, we investigated the mRNA expression of four major transcription factors T-bet (Th۱), GATA (Th۲), RORc (Th۱۷), and Foxp۳ (Treg) in peripheral blood of different groups of RA patients. Materials and methods: In this case-control study, ۶۰ patients with RA, including ۲۰ newly diagnosed, ۲۰ under treatment, and ۲۰ in remission, as well as ۲۰ patients with osteoarthritis, and ۲۰ age- and the sex-matched healthy individual were enrolled. Diagnosis and classification of patients were done according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria. The relative mRNA expression of transcription factors, including T-bet, GATA, RORc, and Foxp۳, was measured using qRT-PCR. Results: The relative expression of T-bet in RA patients was significantly increased in healthy controls (P = ۰.۰۰۲), while the relative expression of Foxp۳ in RA patients was significantly decreased in healthy controls (P < ۰.۰۰۰۱). There was no significant difference in the expression of GATA۳ or RORc among RA patients, healthy controls, and osteoarthritis group. Conclusions: The results indicate the importance of Th۱ and Treg cells in RA; however, the role of Th۱۷ cells appear to be of little importance in these patients. It seems that Th۲ cells do not interfere with RA development.

Keywords:

Rheumatoid Arthritis , Osteoarthritis , T-bet , GATA۳ , FOXP۳ , RORc