Investigation of the human FCRL1, 2, and 4 gene expressions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The Fc receptor-like (FCRL) molecules have recently been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune disorders. In this study, we investigated the expression levels of FCRL1, 2 and 4 in blood mononuclear cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients using real-time PCR. The mRNA of these molecules was detected in 44.4 % (FCRL1), 53.3 % (FCRL2) and 31.1 % (FCRL4) of patients. Comparatively, 31.1 % (FCRL1), 51.1 % (FCRL2) and 26.6 % (FCRL4) of controls expressed these genes. Analysis of gene expressions in FCRL-positive patients demonstrated a lower FCRL4 gene expression in patients compared to controls (P < 0.001). In FCRL2-positive patients, a significant positive correlation between FCRL2 expression and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P < 0.001), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (P = 0.033) level and disease activity score (DAS28, P = 0.016) was found. In conclusion, decreased FCRL4 expression and association of FCRL2 expression with inflammatory markers and disease activity suggested the contribution of these molecules to RA inflammatory processes.

This publication has 32 references indexed in Scilit: