title: Increased expression of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 4 is positively associated with the disease severity of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: Monocytes and associated cytokines have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 4 (Tim-4) was identified on monocytes/macrophages and dentritic cells (DCs) and plays important roles in regulating the activities of macrophages and DCs. The current study investigated the association between Tim-4 expression and AS. Our results showed that Tim-4 expression on monocytes and Tim-4 level in plasma were highly increased in AS patients than in controls. Furthermore, TNF-α production and bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) have positive relationships with Tim-4 expression in AS patients. High expression of Tim-4 was thought to contribute to the pathogenesis and an underlying mechanism of AS.
authors.affiliation: Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zhoushan Hospital, No. 739, Dingshen Road, Lincheng Street, Dinghai District, Zhoushan City, 316000, Zhejiang Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Dongdong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jianying
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Changchang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Jihang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Kexin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Xiaoguang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Liyun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; C512411:TIMD4 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein