Study On The Frequency And Function Of INKT Cells In Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: To investigate the difference in the frequency and function of i NKT cells in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis( RA), then the associations with the frequency of i NKT cells and the ratio of IFN-γ/IL–4 in RA were analyzed,to determine the significance of i NKT cells on onset of RA.Methods: Blood samples of 70 patients and 40 healthy controls were collected,keep observation to 30 inactive patients meanwhile, peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were isolated, fluorescence activated cell sorting(FACS)was used to detect the frequency of i NKT cells;PBMCs were cultured,then FACS was used to detect the dynamic change of the frequency of i NKT cells;MILLIPLEX MAP Human Cytokine/Chemokine kit was used to evaluate the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-4 in serum and PBMC culture media; The expressions of IFN-γ m RNA and IL-4 m RNA in i NKT cells were analyzed by RT-PCR.Results: Compared with healthy controls,frequency and proliferation frequency of i NKT cells in peripheral blood of active RA patients were significantly lower(P<0.05),proliferation delay.Compared with active RA patients, frequency and proliferation frequency of i NKT cells in peripheral blood of inactive RA patients were significantly higher(P<0.05).There were no statistical significance between healthy controls and inactive RA patients(P>0.05); Compared with healthy controls, the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 in serum and PBMC culture media in active RA patients were significantly higher(P<0.05).Compared with active RA patients, the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 in inactive RA patients is lower(P<0.05).There were no statistical significance between healthy controls and inactive RA patients(P>0.05); Compared with healthy controls and inactive RA patients, expressions of IFN-γ m RNA were higher and IL-4 m RNA were lower in active RA patients. There were no obvious difference between healthy controls and inactive RA patients; The frequency of i NKT cells in RA was negatively related to the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio(P<0.05).Conclusion: i NKT cells deficiency on frequency and function is present in patients with RA. i NKT cells were engaged in RA and closely related to disease activity.