Expression Of Transforming Growth Factor Beta/smad Signaling And The Subset In Spondyloarthropathies

Objective To investigate the expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) / Smad signalling and the subset in Spondyloarthropathies(SpA)and to explore their roles in the pathogenesis. Methods 53 cases patients with SpA were included in the study to detect serum TGF-β₁ ,which was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Otherwise,49 patients were performed computed tomography-guided needle biopsy in sacroiiliac joint,and immunohistochemical assay was performed to detect the expression of TGF-β₁, p-Smad3 ,Smad7 , CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD20+ and CD68+ in sacroiiliac joint tissue sample. Results In SI joints tissue of 49cases with AS, TGF-β₁ was found upexpression in the pannus and bone marrow, while Smad7 were detected downexpression. Additionally, p-Smad3 was found expressed in nuclear. In 53 cases patients with SpA, 20 cases were with high level Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), while the other 33 cases were normal. Serum mean TGF-β₁ level in patients with high level ESR/ CRP was significantly increased as compared to the controls and patients with normal ESR/ CRP (P<0.05, P<0.05, respectively). We also detected that a heavy T cell(CD3+)(36.3±30.1)infiltrate occurred in the SIJ tissue samples. There was a marked increase in CD8+lymphocyte subsets (25±17.1)over CD4+lymphocyte subsets(13.7±18.7 ),and it was apparent that the greatest imbalance between the two subsets occurred in the bone marrow (CD4+/CD8+=0.55). And CD68+ are apparently up-expression (52.7±50.6). The normal SIJ tissues have no specific reactive changes. Conclusions 1.TGF-β₁ signaling may play an important role in the inflammatory erosion and cartilage fibrosis of sacroilitis in SpA. 2. The abnormality of the subset in SIJ, suggest association between cell mediated immunity and SpA.