强直性脊柱炎患者血清Dickkopf-1蛋白水平分析

目的:分析强直性脊柱炎(AS)患者血清Dickkopf-1蛋白(DKK-1)水平变化并探讨其临床应用价值。方法:选取2016-12—2018-06我院诊治的50名AS患者[AS组,其中21例患者使用肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)抑制剂治疗(使用TNF-α抑制剂治疗组),29例患者未使用TNF-α抑制剂治疗(未使用TNF-α抑制剂治疗组)],另选取同期50名健康体检者为健康对照(对照组)。检测两组患者血清DKK-1、红细胞沉降率(ESR)和C-反应蛋白(CRP)水平。比较AS组患者治疗前后疾病活动度BASDAI、DKK-1、ESR及CRP水平变化。同时分析AS患者DKK-1与BASDAI、ESR及CRP的相关性。结果:AS组患者血清DKK-1水平明显低于对照组(P<0.01)。治疗6个月后,AS患者各亚组BASDAI、ESR及CRP水平较治疗前明显下降(P<0.01),且使用TNF-α抑制剂治疗组较未使用TNF-α抑制剂治疗组下降更明显(P<0.01);两组DKK-1水平与治疗前差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。AS患者各亚组血清DKK-1与BASDAI、ESR和CRP水平均无明显相关性。结论:DKK-1可能参与AS的新骨形成。TNF-α抑制剂可能对AS新骨形成无阻止作用。     

强直性脊柱炎患者血清中可溶性CD137的表达及意义

目的:检测强直性脊柱炎(AS)患者血清中可溶性CD137(sCD137)的表达水平并探讨其在强直性脊柱炎发病中的意义。方法:选择AS患者57例,健康体检者30例作为正常对照组,用ELISA检测AS患者、健康体检者血清sCD137水平,同时测定AS患者的红细胞沉降率(ESR)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、人类白细胞抗原B27(HLA-B27)。用统计学分析各组血清中sCD137的变化及其与相关临床指标的相关性。结果:初治组患者血清sCD137水平显著高于正常组及治疗组(P<0.05),治疗组患者血清sCD137水平与正常对照组无显著性差异(P>0.05)。按骶髂关节CT结果进行分组:Ⅰ、Ⅱ级AS患者血清sCD137水平高于正常对照组(P<0.05),Ⅲ级AS患者血清sCD137水平与正常对照无显著差异。按Bath强直性脊柱炎活动指数(BASDAI)进行评价分组,活动组患者血清sCD137水平显著高于正常对照组(P<0.05),静止组患者血清sCD137水平与正常对照组无显著性差异。HLA-B27阳性患者与HLA-B27阴性患者血清sCD137表达水平无显著差异。AS患者血清sCD137与ESR、CRP呈正相关(P<0.05)。AS患者年龄及性别与患者血清sCD137无明显相关性。结论:AS患者血清中sCD137的水平显著升高,提示sCD137在AS患者病情活动判定上具有一定的意义,可能参与了AS发病过程。     

血小板/淋巴细胞比率(PLR)和中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比率(NLR)在评估强直性脊柱炎疾病活动度中的价值

目的探讨血小板/淋巴细胞比率(PLR)和中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比率(NLR)在评估强直性脊柱炎疾病活动度中的价值。方法选择河南科技大学第一附属医院2015年4月至2018年2月收治的60例AS患者作为观察组,依据AS疾病活动性评分ASDA将AS观察组分为活动期AS组和缓解期AS组,另选择同期体检的60例健康者作为对照组,收集相应的临床资料和实验室数据。比较两组研究对象的PLR、NLR、ESR、CRP水平;观察不同疾病活动度组的PLR、NLR、ESR、CRP水平;并对PLR、NLR与ASDAS行相关性分析。结果观察组患者PLR(218±95)、NLR(2.8±1.0)显著高于对照组(P0.05);活动期AS组患者PLR(312±78)、NLR(3.8±2.4)、ESR、CRP均明显高于缓解期组(P0.05);AS患者外周血PLR、NLR与疾病活动度评分ASDAS呈正相关。结论 PLR、NLR在AS患者中明显升高,而且与AS病情活动度指标ASDAS相关,对AS疾病活动度评估有一定价值。     

强直性脊柱炎患者外周血单个核细胞微小RNA的差异表达及其与免疫炎症反应的相关性

目的 检测强直性脊柱炎(AS)患者外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中微小RNA(miRNA)的表达及其与免疫炎症反应的关系。方法 选取AS患者(AS组)及健康志愿者(对照组),每组15例。利用高通量测序技术筛选PBMC中miRNA表达,利用实时定量PCR检测6个差异表达miRNA水平,ELISA检测外周血细胞因子肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)、 IL-17、 IL-23表达,Spearman法分析差异miRNA与疾病活动、免疫炎症指标的相关性。结果 与对照组相比,AS患者组共有44个miRNA差异表达,其中有22个上调,22个下调(差异倍数≥1);其中miR-1-3p、 miR-133a-5p表达明显上调,miR-127-5p、 miR-345-3p、 miR-136-3p表达明显下调;且AS患者TNF-α、 IL-1β、 IL-17、 IL-23表达明显升高,miR-1-3p与TNF-α、 C反应蛋白(CRP)、 Bath强直性脊柱炎疾病活动性指数(BASDAI)呈正相关,miR-133a-5p与TNF-α呈正相关,miR-127-5p与红细胞沉降率(ESR)...     

探讨益赛普治疗强直性脊柱炎的疗效观察及安全性评价

目的：观察益赛普治疗强直性脊柱炎的临床疗效,并进行安全性评价。方法：将我院选取的36例强直性脊柱炎患者随机分为观察组与对照组,观察组给予益赛普治疗,对照组给予柳氮磺胺吡啶治疗,疗程为12周。分别于0、4、8、12周进行临床疗效及不良反应情况评价。观察指标主要为ASAS20、ASAS50、ASAS70、脊柱痛、AS活动指数(AS activity index,BASDAI)、胸廓扩张度、脊柱侧弯、晨僵时间、红细胞沉降率(erythrocyte sedimentation rate,ESR)及C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)等。结果：与治疗前比较,观察组治疗后各时间点脊柱痛、BASDAI、Schober试验、胸廓扩张度、脊柱侧弯及CRP、ESR等指标水平均明显改善,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);与治疗前比较,对照组患者治疗后8、12周脊柱痛、BASDAI、晨僵时间、Schober试验、胸廓扩张度、脊柱侧弯及CRP、ESR均明显改善,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);但在第4周时各指标无明显改善,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);与对照组比较,观察组治疗后其各项观察指标改善程度明显提高,比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组不良反应发生率为16.7%,较对照组55.6%明显降低,比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论：益赛普治疗强直性脊柱炎的临床效果显著,对患者症状、体征、关节功能及生活质量能够明显改善,且安全性较好。     

B细胞活化因子及其受体BR3在强直性脊柱炎患者外周血白细胞中的表达及临床意义初探

为了探讨强直性脊柱炎(AS)患者外周血白细胞中B细胞活化因子(BAFF)及其受体(BR3)的表达水平及其临床意义.采用流式细胞术检测24例AS患者、30名健康体检者外周血白细胞上BAFF、BR3的表达水平,并比较其与红细胞沉降率(ESR)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、免疫球蛋白(IgG、IgA、IgM)的相关性.结果显示.A...     

柳氮磺砒啶联合醋氯芬酸肠溶片对AS患者炎症反应和免疫功能的影响北大核心CSCD

目的:研究柳氮磺吡啶联合醋氯芬酸肠溶片治疗强直性脊柱炎(AS)的疗效及对患者血中外源性骨强化蛋白(SOST)、Dickkopf-1蛋白(DKK-1)表达的影响。方法:选取2019年2月至2021年2月于江南大学附属医院就诊的106例AS患者,分为对照组、观察组各53例。对照组采用柳氮磺吡啶治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上联合使用醋氯芬酸肠溶片治疗。对比两组疾病活动情况、功能恢复情况、胸廓活动度、脊柱活动度、疼痛情况;采用速率散射比浊法测定IgA、IgG、IgM水平,ELISA测定ESR、CRP、SOST、DKK-1水平;对比两组临床疗效及不良反应发生情况。结果:与对照组相比,观察组BASDAI评分、BASFI评分、ESR、CRP、IgA、IgG、IgM、DKK-1水平降低(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,观察组胸廓活动度、脊柱活动度、SOST升高(P<0.05)。观察组治疗总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:AS患者采用柳氮磺吡啶、醋氯芬酸肠溶片联合治疗可缓解疼痛,改善SOST、DKK-1表达,抑制炎症反应,改善免疫功能,治疗效果显著。     

强直性脊柱炎患者检测骨代谢指标潜在的临床价值

目的:探讨骨代谢指标和人类白细胞抗原B27(HLA-B27)在检测强直性脊柱炎(AS)患者的临床意义,并分析其诊断价值。方法:研究对象为94 例AS 患者、239 例其他病种对照和80 例健康对照组,并对其结果进行回顾性分析。结果:AS 组β-胶原特殊序列(β-CTX)高于对照组,而骨钙素(OC)、25 羟基维生素D也25-(OH)D页和甲状旁腺素(PTH)低于对照组(P<0.05);AS 组C 反应蛋白(CRP)和β-CTX 呈明显的正相关(P<0.01),25-(OH)D 呈负相关(P<0.05),其他骨代谢指标和CRP 无相关性;AS 组HLA-B27 阳性率明显高于其他组(P<0.05),且HLA-B27 在诊断AS 时具有很高的敏感性和特异性;AS 组25-(OH)D 检测的敏感性高于β-CTX,但特异性低于β-CTX。结论:骨代谢指标对AS 早期筛查,临床诊断有着重要价值,尤其是β-CTX 和25-(OH)D 的诊断价值更为明显。     

HLA-B27与ESR、CRP在强直性脊柱炎中的相关性

目前认为,HLA-B27为实验室诊断强直性脊柱炎（AS）最灵敏的特异性指标。有研究指出,AS患者血沉（ESR）可增快,C反应蛋白（ClIP）增高。现将2008年2月～2010年4月间对已确诊AS的98例患者HLA-B27、ESR、ClIP的值进行比较,探讨这三种实验室指标对AS诊断的相关性。     

强直性脊柱炎患者血清免疫球蛋白亚型、细胞因子的变化及相关性分析

目的分析39例强直性脊柱炎(ankylosing spondylitis,AS)患者的免疫球蛋白(Ig G1、Ig G2、Ig G3、Ig G4、Ig A、SIg A、Ig M)、血清细胞因子(IL-4、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10)和症状体征的脊柱炎症指数(BASDAI)、功能指数(BASFI),观察上述指标的变化并对其相关因素进行分析。方法将39例强直性脊柱炎患者列为实验组,另设20例正常健康人为对照组,观察2组Ig G1、Ig G2、Ig G3、Ig G4、Ig A、SIg A、Ig M、IL-4、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10的变化,并分析其与BASDAI(Bath ankylosing spondylitis activity index,BASDAI)、BASFI(bath ankylosng spondylitis functional index,BASFI)的相关性。结果与健康对照组比较,AS患者BASDAI、BASFI的VAS评分有差异性(P0.01)。实验组与对照组比较Ig G1、Ig G3、Ig A较健康对照显著升高(P0.01);2组Ig G2、Ig G4、SIg A、Ig M无明显变化。AS患者IL-4、IL-10较健康对照组比较均显著降低(P0.01),IL-6、IL-8较健康对照组比较均显著升高,均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。Spearman相关性分析显示,AS患者IL-4与BASDAI呈负相关;Ig G1、Ig G3与BASDAI、BASFI呈正相关;IL-6、IL-8与Ig G1、Ig G2、Ig G3、Ig G4、Ig A、SIg A、Ig M呈正相关;IL-6、L-8、IL-10与BASDAI、BASFI均无相关性;Ig G2、Ig G4、Ig A、SIg A、Ig M与BASDAI、BASFI无相关性;IL-4、IL-8与免疫球蛋白无相关性。结论 AS患者存在脊柱炎症指标的变化、免疫球蛋白的失调、细胞因子的异常,且各项指标存在一定的相关性。     

动脉粥状硬化与血清中磷脂酰胆碱特异性磷脂酶C活性的相关性研究

炎症在动脉粥状硬化(AS)形成过程中起关键作用,PC-PLC在炎症反应中扮演重要角色。为探讨PC-PLC活性与动脉粥样硬化的关系,本研究建立了动脉粥状硬化家兔模型,并用解毒活血颗粒灌胃,分别获得正常家兔血清、造模家兔血清和药物家兔血清,检测其中PC-PLC的活性。结果表明,造模组中钙离子依赖性和非钙离子依赖性两种PC-PLC活性均明显高于正常组,而加药组中这两种PC-PLC活性受到显著抑制。说明伴随动脉粥样硬化的发生,PC-PLC活性明显升高,而活血解毒颗粒能减轻动脉粥样硬化的程度,同时能显著抑制PC-PLC活性。     

Serum amyloid a as a useful indicator of disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

PURPOSE: To investigate whether serum amyloid A (SAA) levels are increased in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and whether its levels correlate well with AS disease activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with AS and 38 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Their SAA levels were quantitatively measured by immunonephelometry. An established, self-administered instrument for evaluating disease activity (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, BASDAI) was used to measure and acute phase reactants, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), in patients with AS. RESULTS: Patients with AS had a significantly higher mean SAA level than controls (9.52 +/- 7.49mg/L versus 2.73 +/- 1.57mg/L, p < 0.05), and the mean BASDAI score of patients with elevated SAA levels was significantly higher than that of patients with normal SAA levels (5.6 +/- 1.3 versus 4.4 +/- 1.5, p < 0.05). SAA levels showed significant correlations with BASDAI scores (r=0.431, p=0.007), ESR (r=0.521, p=0.001) and CRP levels (r=0.648, p < 0.001). Additionally, the correlation between ESR and CRP levels also appeared significant (r=0.703, p < 0.001). In those with normal ESR or CRP levels, SAA levels and BASDAI scores were elevated (p < 0.05) and showed a trend of positive correlation with one another. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that SAA levels were increased in patients with AS and correlated well with disease activity. These findings suggest that SAA can be used as a valuable indicator of disease activity in AS.     

Effects of icariin on cytokine-induced ankylosing spondylitis with fibroblastic osteogenesis and its molecular mechanism

The aim of this study is to explore the effects of icariin on cytokine induced ankylosing spondylitis fibroblast osteogenesis type expression and its molecular mechanism. The normal fibroblasts were collected as normal control group, and the fibroblasts of hip joint capsule of AS patients were collected, which were respectively added in fetal bovine serum (group AS), fetal bovine serum and cytokines (BMP-2+TGF-beta 1) (group AS), and cell factor solution (icariin group), and observed of the osteogenic expression of fibroblast, to evaluate the impact of Icariin on it. The ALP activity, the content of collagen, osteocalcin content and cbfa1mRNA and OCmRNA of fibroblast of AS group increased compared to the normal control group and AS control group (P < 0.01), indicating that icariin can significantly inhibit the above changes (P < 0.01). Icariin can inhibit fibroblast further osteogenic differentiation through inhibiting the effect of cytokines on the fibroblast osteogenesis type markers and osteogenic gene expression and osteogenic differentiation.     

银杏叶提取物对青春期乏运动大鼠行为学的影响

目的 探讨银杏叶提取物对青春期乏运动大鼠行为学的影响及其可能机制.方法 将24只4周龄SD雄鼠随机分为正常对照组(NC)、乏运动组(AS)以及银杏叶提取物处理组(GBE),干预性饲养至8周龄,进行旷场实验及高架十字迷宫实验检测行为学改变.比色法检测脑组织匀浆丙二醛(MDA)含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性.Weste...     

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor assay is unhelpful in chronic inflammatory rheumatism]

The level of soluble interleukin-2 receptors (SIL2-R), which reflects lymphocyte activation, is often described as a useful parameter for evaluating disease activity and progression in patients with inflammatory conditions. Serum SIL2-R was assayed using a sandwich ELISA method in 98 subjects including 38 controls (C), 36 patients with ankylosing spondylarthropathy (AS) and 24 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). SIL2-R levels were higher in RA patients than in controls and AS patients (p < 10(-4)), whereas the difference between AS patients and controls was small (p = 0.02). In RA patients, SIL2-R levels were not correlated with any of the clinical or biological parameters studied and remained unchanged during clinical improvements. In the AS group, SIL2-R levels showed no correlations with inflammation parameters (CRP, IgA) and was similar in patients with and without HLA B27 or appendicular joint involvement. This study failed to provide any evidence that SIL2-R levels are helpful for monitoring patients with inflammatory joint disease.     

黄芪甲苷通过诱导自噬减轻慢性间歇性低氧大鼠心脏损伤

目的 探讨黄芪甲苷（ASⅣ）对慢性间歇性缺氧（CIH）大鼠的心肌保护作用和机制。 方法 SD雄性大鼠24只,随机分为对照组、CIH组、CIH+ASⅣ组和ASⅣ组,每组6只。CIH大鼠循环给予氮气和氧气,使氧气含量在9%～21%间循环,每个循环3 min,每天上舱8 h,共35 d。CIH+ASⅣ组和ASⅣ组每天给予黄芪甲苷干预,对照组和CIH组采用等量生理盐水灌胃。超声心动图检测大鼠心脏左心室功能;HE染色和麦胚芽凝集素染色检测左心室心肌结构;TUNEL检测心肌细胞凋亡;比色法检测心肌组织匀浆的超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量;Western blotting检测凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax和自噬相关蛋白LC3、Beclin1、P62及哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白（mTOR）的表达水平。 结果 与对照组相比,CIH模型组大鼠左室射血分数（LVEF）及左心室收缩末期内径（LVIDs）降低,心肌纤维排列紊乱,心肌细胞增大,心肌细胞凋亡率增加,Bcl-2/Bax比率下降,SOD活性降低,MDA含量增加,Beclin1表达下降而P62表达上升,p-mTOR/mTOR比率升高。与CIH组相比,ASⅣ干预使LVEF和LVIDs上升,心肌纤维排列较整齐,心肌细胞无异常增大,心肌细胞凋亡率下降,Bcl-2/Bax比率增高,SOD活性增加,MDA水平下降,LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ比率增高,Beclin1表达增高而P62表达下降,p-mTOR/mTOR比率下降。 结论 ASⅣ可能通过抑制mTOR诱导自噬,从而减轻CIH间歇性低氧对大鼠心脏的损伤。     

Comparison of T-cell subsets' reconstitution after 12 months of highly active antiretroviral therapy initiated during early versus advanced states of HIV disease

This research comprised a pilot open prospective clinical study comparing T-cell subset reconstitution in antiretroviral-naive patients, after 12 months of HAART when treatment was initiated in early stages (ES; n = 18) of infection versus advanced stages (AS; n = 20). Control group: 10 healthy HIV-negative individuals. Immunophenotypic markers were evaluated before and after 6-and 12-months' therapy. Functional assays were performed in one subset. RESULTS: Viral load (VL) was < 200 copies/ml in all patients. Median percentages of CD4+ pretherapy were 33% and 6%, respectively, in the ES and AS groups, increment after 12 months of therapy was +15% and +13% respectively. Only the ES group achieved normal values. Declines of CD8+ percentage were significantly higher in the ES (-18%) than in the AS group (-2%). CD4+ memory and naive cells in the ES group were similar to those of controls before treatment and did not change after therapy. In contrast, CD4+ memory and naive cells in the AS group did not reach normal levels despite treatment. In the ES group, there was a significant increment in CD8+ naive cells (+8%) and a decrement in CD8+CD38+ cells (-17%), both populations reached values close to normal, whereas these subsets remained far from normal in the AS group. Improvement of lymphoproliferative response after therapy was observed in both groups. One patient in the ES group showed positive LPR against p24 after treatment. After 12 months' highly active antiretroviral therapy, only those who began such therapy in ES disease reached values within the range of healthy controls. To achieve a more complete immunologic reconstitution, early initiation of potent antiretroviral therapy should be recommended.     

强直性脊柱炎患者MICA基因第2、3和4外显子的多态性及其与HLA-B抗原的连锁不平衡

目的探讨皖籍汉族人群MICA基因（major histocompatibility complex class Ⅰchain-related gene A，MICA）第2、3、4外显子的多态性，及其与HLA-B抗原的连锁不平衡在强直性脊柱炎（ankylosing spondylitis，AS）发病中的作用。方法采用聚合酶链反应-序列特异性寡核苷酸探针杂交（polymerase chain reactionsequence-specific oligonucleotide probing，PCR-SS0）技术对56例AS患者和112名正常对照人群进行MICA基因第2、3、4外显子的多态性和HLA-B抗原的检测。结果AS患者和正常对照人群的MICA等位基因分布均以MICA＊008占优势，频率分别为32．14％和30．36％。两组人群MICA＊007等位基因的分布差异有统计学意义（X^2=10．18，P〈0．05，RR=2．50）。单倍型分析显示，AS患者和正常对照人群的MICA等位基因均显示出与多个HLA-B位点的连锁不平衡现象，两组间差异有统计学意义的单倍型为MICA＊007-B27（X^2=18．46，P〈0．05，RR=7．47）。分层分析结果显示，HLA-B27阳性与AS的相关性有统计学意义（P〈0．05），但MICA＊007基因与AS的相关性无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论AS患者中MICA＊007等位基因频率的显著升高可能源于MICA基因与HLA-B位点间的广泛连锁不平衡。     

Involvement of Notch1/Hes signaling pathway in ankylosing spondylitis

We aimed to investigate the role of Notch1/Hes signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of abnormal ossification of hip ligament in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). 22 AS patients scheduled for artificial hip arthroplasty were randomly chosen as AS group. As controls, we used 4 patients diagnosed with transcervical fracture who underwent hip replacement surgery. Notch1 and Hes mRNA expressions were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RFQ-PCR). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect Notch1 and Hes protein expression. Correlation analyses of Notch-l and Hes with AS-related clinical factors were conducted with spearman’s correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis. RFQ-PCR results showed significant differences in Notch1 and Hes mRNA expressions between AS group and the control group (all P < 0.05). IHC analysis further indicated positive nuclear signals of Notch1 and Hes protein, indicating functional activation of the Notch1 and Hes pathways. Semi-quantitative IHC showed a higher Notch1 and Hes expression levels in AS group compared to the control group (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that Hes protein expression was positively associated with the clinical course of the disease in AS patients. In conclusion, Notch1 and Hes overexpression was clearly detected in hip joint ligaments of AS patients, Hes protein expression was associated with the clinical course of AS. Taken together, we suggest that signaling pathways mediated by Notch1-Hes may contribute to ligament ossification of hip joints in AS patients.     

Increased CCR4 expression on circulating CD4(+) T cells in ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Previous studies have suggested that CCR4 is particularly important in the selective recruitment of various subsets of leucocytes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we examined the percentage of CD4(+)/CCR4(+) T cells within circulating lymphocytes in active ankylosing spondylitis (AS), RA and SLE patients. The clinical significance of CCR4 expression as well as possible associations between the expression and serum levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-10 were also examined. Our results showed that the percentage of CD4(+)/CCR4(+) T cells was significantly elevated in AS and RA patients as compared with normal controls. The percentage was also significantly higher in SLE patients who had received no treatment with glucocorticoids or cytotoxic drugs (untreated SLE) than that in controls. In addition, the percentage of CD4(+)/CCR4(+) T cells showed significant positive correlations with the Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) in AS and with the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) in untreated SLE. Of all the cytokines examined, the elevated serum IL-10 level was closely correlated with the percentage of CD4(+)/CCR4(+) T cells in AS, RA and untreated SLE. These results suggest that CCR4 may be crucial in the pathogenesis of AS, RA and SLE. The percentage of CD4(+)/CCR4(+) T cells can serve as a useful marker for the activity of AS and untreated SLE.