Association of TLR4 gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells with disease activity of AS and RA

ObjectiveTo analyze the association of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells with disease activity of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

MethodsForty patients with AS (AS group) and 40 patients with RA (RA group) were enrolled.Thirty healthy volunteers were selected as the control group.The expression levels of TLR4 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The association of TLR4 with disease activity and laboratory indexes was analyzed.

ResultsThe expression of TLR4 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of AS group, RA group and control group decreased gradually(P < 0.01).In AS group and RA group, TLR4 mRNA expression levels in active stage was significantly higher than those in stable stage(P < 0.01).Pearson correlation analysis showed that TLR4 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was positively correlated with Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index score and serum concentrations of ESR, CRP and IL-17(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01), but showed no association with RF concentration and HLA-B27 positive rate(P>0.05);TLR4 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with RA was positively correlated with DSA 28 score and serum concentrations of ESR, RF, CRP and IL-17(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe expression of TLR4 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of AS and RA patients is significantly up-regulated, which is correlated with disease activity and inflammatory indexes.