title: High levels of Lymphotoxin-Beta (LT-Beta) gene expression in rheumatoid arthritis synovium: clinical and cytokine correlations.
abstract: Lymphotoxin-Beta (LT-Beta) is implicated in lymphoid follicle development, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and can enhance the proliferation of fibroblasts and synoviocytes. The objective of this study was to investigate LT-Beta and LT-BetaReceptor (LT-BetaR) gene expression in RA patient synovium and blood samples compared with control individuals, and correlate with LT-Alpha and TNF-Alpha gene expression and disease parameters. RT-PCR was used to investigate the gene expression of LT-Beta, LT-BetaR, TNF-Alpha and LT-Alpha in the blood and synovium of RA patients and a control group of individuals. LT-Beta gene expression was significantly higher in RA patient synovium compared to control synovium (P = 0.005). There was a significant positive correlation between LT-Beta and LT-Alpha gene expression in both the synovium (P = 0.001) and blood (P = 0.002) of RA patients. LT-Beta gene expression was significantly higher in RA patient synovial samples that were inflamed to a moderately severe degree compared to those inflamed to a minimal degree (P = 0.02). Analysis of clinical variables revealed a significant positive correlation between LT-BetaR gene expression in RA patient synovium and Pain VAS Score (P = 0.01) and also HAQ Score (P = 0.01). Increased LT-Beta gene expression occurs in RA synovium and correlates with the degree of inflammation. LT-Beta may play a role in RA disease pathogenesis by contributing to a more intense inflammatory reaction in the synovium.
authors: Department of Microbiology, Biomerit Research Center, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. killianorourke@ireland.com
authors: Killian P
authors: KP
authors: O'Rourke
authors: G
authors: G
authors: O'Donoghue
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Adams
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Mulcahy
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Molloy
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Silke
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Molloy
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Shanahan
authors: F
authors: F
authors: O'Gara
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D053259:Lymphotoxin beta Receptor / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D053308:Lymphotoxin-beta / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C505886:LTB protein, human; D053259:Lymphotoxin beta Receptor; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha; D053308:Lymphotoxin-beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha