Inflammatory gene profile in early rheumatoid arthritis and modulation by leflunomide and prednisone treatment.
The effects of low dose prednisone (PD) alone or in combination with leflunomide (LEF) were tested on inflammatory gene expression in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Ten RA patients were assigned as group A (untreated)and group B (pretreated with PD 5 mg/day for 3 months -T0). Therefore, both groups were treated with LFN (20mg/day). Expression ratio of 34 inflammatory genes was detected by microarray analysis in early RA patients and CNT (5), before (T0), and after 3 months (T1) of combined therapy (PN+LFN). At T0, 17 genes linked with arthritis were found altered in early RA, (A and B groups), compared to CNT. At T1 in the group A, 41% of genes were found unchanged, 12% upregulated, and 47% downregulated, whereas in the group B, 65% of genes were found unchanged, 6% upregulated, and 29% downregulated. The results suggest that the combination of PN and LEF seems to play a synergistic effect by modulating some inflammatory genes in early RA.
Cutolo
Maurizio
M
Research Laboratory and Academic Unit of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy. mcutolo@unige.it
Villaggio
Barbara
B
Pizzorni
Carmen
C
Paolino
Sabrina
S
Moretti
Stefano
S
Gallo
Fabio
F
Bonassi
Stefano
S
Sulli
Alberto
A
Seriolo
Bruno
B
Montagna
Paola
P
Soldano
Stefano
S
D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics*; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077339:Leflunomide; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007555:Isoxazoles; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000077339:Leflunomide; D011241:Prednisone