Downregulation of lncRNA ITSN1-2 correlates with decreased disease risk and activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and reduces RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes proliferation and inflammation via inhibiting NOD2/RIP2 signaling pathway.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of lnc-ITSN1-2 knockdown on cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation and mRNA expression patterns in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), and the correlation of its synovium tissue expression with disease risk, inflammatory cytokines and disease activity of RA. Control shRNA plasmids and lnc-ITSN1-2 shRNA plasmids were transfected into RA FLS, and then cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammatory cytokines expressions were evaluated. Subsequently, mRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were conducted, and rescue experiment of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) mRNA overexpression on alleviating the functions of lnc-ITSN1-2 was performed.

Comparison of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety/Depression Scale (SAS/SDS) in Evaluating Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis.

Background: This study aimed to compare the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety/Depression Scale (SAS/SDS) in evaluating anxiety and depression in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients.

Methods: A total of 70 PsA patients were enrolled. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected after enrollment.

Comprehensive analyses of long non-coding RNA expression profiles by RNA sequencing and exploration of their potency as biomarkers in psoriatic arthritis patients.

Background: The aim of the current study was to investigate the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression profiles in psoriatic arthritis (PSA) patients by RNA sequencing, and to further explore potential biomarkers that were able to predict PSA risk and activity.

Methods: LncRNA and mRNA expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 4 PSA patients and 4 normal controls (NCs) were detected by RNA sequencing, followed by comprehensive bioinformatic analyses. Subsequently, 3 top upregulated and 2 top downregulated lncRNAs were chosen for further validation in 93 PSA patients and 93 NCs by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay.

(5R)-5-Hydroxytriptolide (LLDT-8) induces substantial epigenetic mediated immune response network changes in fibroblast-like synoviocytes from rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Tripterygium is a traditional Chinese medicine that has widely been used in the treatment of rheumatic disease. (5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide (LLDT-8) is an extracted compound from Tripterygium, which has been shown to have lower cytotoxicity and relatively higher immunosuppressive activity when compared to Tripterygium. However, our understanding of LLDT-8-induced epigenomic impact and overall regulatory changes in key cell types remains limited.

Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in CD4+ T cells from Chinese Han patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Recent evidence indicated the epigenetic changes may contribute to the pathogenesis of RA.

Method: To understand the extent and nature of dysregulated DNA methylation in RA CD4T cells, we performed a genome-wide DNA methylation study in CD4 + T cells in 12 RA patients compared to 12 matched normal healthy controls.

High incidence of tuberculosis infection in rheumatic diseases and impact for chemoprophylactic prevention of tuberculosis activation during biologics therapy.

We conducted a long-term follow-up study in patients with rheumatic diseases who were candidates for biologics treatment to evaluate the effects of biologic agents on the risk of tuberculosis infection and the effect of prophylactic treatment on tuberculosis activation. One hundred one patients with rheumatic diseases who were candidates for biologics treatment were recruited, and 57 healthy subjects were recruited as controls. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and the T-SPOT.