Evaluation of the frequency of Treg and Th17 cells, their associated transcription factors, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood of Ankylosing Spondylitis patients with metabolic syndrome and AS patients without metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine and sacroiliac joints of unknown etiology which is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Recent studies have reported that immunological and oxidative stress factors are implicated in AS pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunological and inflammatory factors in AS patients with and without MetS. Methods: The immunological parameters were evaluated in AS patients with or without MetS. MicroRNA gene expression level , transcription factors, cytokines and related miRNAs were measured by Real-Time PCR. In addition, Th17 and Treg frequency and inflammatory cytokines secretion were evaluated by flowcytometry and ELISA tests, respectively. Results: In AS patients with MetS, higher Th17 and lower Treg frequency were observed.Also NF-kB and AP-1 mRNA expression levels were increased in AS patients with MetS (P=0.0263 and P=0.0104, respectively). A significant decrease in miR-146a and miR-223 (P=0.0005, P=0.0161 and P<0.0001, respectively) and increase in miR-21 (P=0.0002). Expression level was also observed in AS patients with MetS. Additionally, the secretion of inflammatory cytokines ,TNF- (P=0.0167), IL-1 (P=0.303), IL-6 (P=0.0115), as well as chemokines, CCL2 (P=0.0254), CCL3 (P=0.0119), CXCL8 (P=0.0364), adiponectin (P=0.0183) were increased in AS patients with MetS