| Abstract: | Background Programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) is a novel apoptotic regulatory gene, which has a promoting effect on apoptosis of various tumor cells. Studies showed that PDCD5 accelerates the apoptosis of synoviocytes in vitro, implying its potential role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to examine the expression of PDCD5 in serum and synovial fluid of RA and to determine its effect on the expression of inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-17 (IL-17), as well as the assessment of disease activity in RA.
Methods PDCD5 and IL-17 levels in serum and synovial fluid from 18 RA patients and 22 Osteoarthritis (OA) patients were detected by ELISA. The concentrations of serum PDCD5 in 40 healthy people were also detected as control. As disease activity indices, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), and X-ray grading scale were also evaluated.
Results The serum and synovial fluid PDCD5 levels in RA patients were significantly higher than those in OA and healthy controls. The serum PDCD5 level was inversely correlated with CRP and ESR. Further, serum PDCD5 level in RF negative group was significantly higher than that in positive group. In addition, PDCD5 level had a negative correlation with IL-17 level both in serum and synovial fluid of RA patients. However, the differences of synovial fluid PDCD5 level in RA patients with different Larsen stages were not detectable.
Conclusions These results suggest that PDCD5 might play a role in the pathogenesis of RA. Insufficient apoptosis of FLS and inflammatory cells in RA could possibly cause the increased expression of PDCD5 protein. Meanwhile, PDCD5 level correlated negatively with disease activity indices and IL-17 level, implying it as a potential target in the diagnosis and treatment of RA. |
