Cytokine profile of the rheumatoid nodule suggests that it is a Th1 granuloma.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To define the cytokine profile within rheumatoid subcutaneous nodules, and to determine whether the destructive inflammatory process in this lesion displays features of a lymphocyte-driven Th1 or Th2 granuloma.

METHODS:

Subcutaneous nodules excised from 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were examined. Transcripts for interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-18, and for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of extracted RNA.

RESULTS:

Nine of 10 nodules contained transcripts for IFNgamma. We observed no evidence for the expression of IL-2, IL-4, or IL-5 among the lymphokine genes analyzed. Transcripts for TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-10, IL-15, and IL-18 were present in all 10 nodules. Transcripts for IL-12 were present in all but one nodule. Expression of IL-13 messenger RNA was observed in only 5 nodules.

CONCLUSION:

The cytokine profile within the rheumatoid nodule (i.e., presence of IFNgamma but not IL-2, and prominent expression of IL-1beta and TNFalpha together with IL-12, IL-18, IL-15, and IL-10) is similar to the profile of cytokines in the synovial lesion of rheumatoid arthritis, which is generally accepted as being attributable to a Th1-mediated inflammatory mechanism. Our results suggest that damage to affected synovial membrane or subcutaneous tissue is caused by the same inflammatory mechanisms, and that the nodule is a Th1 granuloma.

• Authors: Paul A Hessian, John Highton, Annabel Kean, Cheuk Kwan Sun, Michael Chin
• Journal: Arthritis and rheumatism (Arthritis Rheum) Vol. 48 Issue 2 Pg. 334-8 (Feb 2003) ISSN: 0004-3591 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12571841 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antirheumatic Agents
• Cytokines
• Interleukin-1
• Interleukin-13
• Interleukin-15
• Interleukin-18
• RNA, Messenger
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Interleukin-10
• Interleukin-12
• Interferon-gamma
• Methotrexate

Topics

• Aged
• Antirheumatic Agents (adverse effects)
• Cytokines (genetics)
• Female
• Gene Expression (immunology)
• Granuloma (chemically induced, immunology, pathology)
• Humans
• Interferon-gamma (genetics)
• Interleukin-1 (genetics)
• Interleukin-10 (genetics)
• Interleukin-12 (genetics)
• Interleukin-13 (genetics)
• Interleukin-15 (genetics)
• Interleukin-18 (genetics)
• Male
• Methotrexate (adverse effects)
• Middle Aged
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)
• Rheumatoid Nodule (chemically induced, immunology, pathology)
• Th1 Cells (immunology, pathology)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (genetics)