EC-18 prevents autoimmune arthritis by suppressing inflammatory cytokines and osteoclastogenesis.

Background: EC-18, a synthetic monoacetyldiaglyceride, exhibits protective effects against lung inflammation, allergic asthma, and abdominal sepsis. However, there have been no investigations to determine whether EC-18 has preventive potential in autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: To investigate the efficacy of EC-18 on the development of RA, EC-18 was administered in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) murine model and disease severity and the level of inflammatory cytokines in the joint were investigated.

A novel cytokine consisting of the p40 and EBI3 subunits suppresses experimental autoimmune arthritis via reciprocal regulation of Th17 and Treg cells.

Objective: The interleukin (IL)-12 cytokine family is closely related to the development of T helper cells, which are responsible for autoimmune disease enhancement or suppression. IL-12 family members are generally heterodimers and share three α-subunits (p35, p19, and p28) and two β-subunits (p40 and EBI3). However, a β-sheet p40 homodimer has been shown to exist and antagonize IL-12 and IL-23 signaling .

Lactobacillus sakei suppresses collagen-induced arthritis and modulates the differentiation of T helper 17 cells and regulatory B cells.

Background: To evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of Lactobacillus sakei in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in human immune cells.

Methods: We evaluated whether L. sakei reduced the severity of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and modulated interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-10 levels, as well as whether it affected the differentiation of CD4 T cells and regulatory B cells.

Metformin rescues rapamycin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and attenuates rheumatoid arthritis with metabolic syndrome.

Background: Rapamycin, an inhibitor of the serine/threonine protein kinase mTOR, is an immunosuppressant used to treat renal transplant recipients, but it can cause endothelial and mitochondrial dysfunction. Metformin is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and was reported to exert therapeutic effects against rheumatoid arthritis and obesity by improving mitochondrial dysfunction via the activation of fibroblast growth factor 21. We investigated the therapeutic effects of rapamycin-metformin combination therapy in obese mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

A bispecific soluble receptor fusion protein that targets TNF-α and IL-21 for synergistic therapy in inflammatory arthritis.

This study was aimed at investigating the therapeutic effects of BITRAP, a bispecific fusion protein targeting TNF-α and IL-21, on the development of autoimmune arthritis in humans and mice. To verify the effects of BITRAP in human, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with BITRAP under IL-17-producing T (Th17) cell-polarizing conditions or osteoclast differentiation conditions. BITRAP treatment inhibited the production of IL-17 and vascular endothelial growth factor but increased the production of IL-10 in CD4 T cells, as well as directly suppressed osteoclastogenesis.

Metformin improves salivary gland inflammation and hypofunction in murine Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: Activated T and B cells participate in the development and progression of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Metformin, a first-line anti-diabetic drug, exerts anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects by activating AMPK. We investigated the therapeutic effect of metformin in non-obese diabetic (NOD)/ShiLtJ mice, an animal model of SS.

Inhibition of IL-17 ameliorates systemic lupus erythematosus in Roquin mice through regulating the balance of TFH cells, GC B cells, Treg and Breg.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is mediated by a chronic and dysregulated inflammatory response. Interleukin (IL)-17, a proinflammatory cytokine, and T helper (Th)17 cells are associated with chronic autoimmune diseases. We hypothesized that inhibition of IL-17 would decrease the numbers of T cell subsets that function as B-cell helpers, as well as B-cell differentiation into plasma cells and autoantibody expression.

Protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 reduces peripheral arthritis and gut inflammation and regulates the Th17/Treg cell imbalance via STAT3 signaling in a mouse model of spondyloarthritis.

Background: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is chronic inflammatory arthritis, and interleukin (IL)-17 is crucial in SpA pathogenesis. Type 17 helper T (Th17) cells are one of major IL-17-secreting cells. Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 signaling induces Th17 differentiation.

Attenuation of Rheumatoid Inflammation by Sodium Butyrate Through Reciprocal Targeting of HDAC2 in Osteoclasts and HDAC8 in T Cells.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Recently, investigators have focused on the gut microbiota, which is thought to be an environmental factor that affects the development of RA. Metabolites secreted by the gut microbiota maintain homeostasis in the gut through various mechanisms [e.

YinYang1 deficiency ameliorates joint inflammation in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis by modulating Th17 cell activation.

Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor that functions in cooperation with various cofactors to regulate gene expression. In the immune system, YY1 enhances cytokine production and T helper (Th) 2 effector cell differentiation, resulting in the activation of inflammation. However, no studies have reported the role of YY1 in Th17 cell regulation, which is implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The Fos-Related Antigen 1-JUNB/Activator Protein 1 Transcription Complex, a Downstream Target of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3, Induces T Helper 17 Differentiation and Promotes Experimental Autoimmune Arthritis.

Dysfunction of T helper 17 (Th17) cells leads to chronic inflammatory disorders. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) orchestrates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and pathogenic cell differentiation from interleukin (IL)-17-producing Th17 cells. However, the pathways mediated by STAT3 signaling are not fully understood.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate ameliorates autoimmune arthritis by reciprocal regulation of T helper-17 regulatory T cells and inhibition of osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting STAT3 signaling.

The green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate is a potent antioxidant. Here, we describe the effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on T cell differentiation and osteoclast differentiation in an animal model of arthritis. Mice with collagen-induced arthritis were injected intraperitoneally with epigallocatechin-3-gallate, 3 times/wk after the primary immunization.

Treatment of IL-21R-Fc control autoimmune arthritis via suppression of STAT3 signal pathway mediated regulation of the Th17/Treg balance and plasma B cells.

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a T cell-derived cytokine modulating T cell, B cell, and natural killer cell responses. To determine whether IL-21 contributes to pathologic processes, recombinant IL-21 receptor (R) fusion protein (rhIL-21R-Fc) was examined in mice models of autoimmune arthritis (collagen-induced arthritis). DBA/1J mice were immunized with chicken type II collagen and then treated intraperitoneally with rhIL-21R-Fc, which was initiated after the onset of arthritis symptoms in 20% of the cohort.

STA-21, a promising STAT-3 inhibitor that reciprocally regulates Th17 and Treg cells, inhibits osteoclastogenesis in mice and humans and alleviates autoimmune inflammation in an experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the impact of STA-21, a promising STAT-3 inhibitor, on the development and progression of inflammatory arthritis and to determine the possible mechanisms by which STA-21 has antiarthritic effects in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist-knockout (IL-1Ra-KO) mice, an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: IL-1Ra-KO mice were treated with intraperitoneal injections of STA-21 (0.5 mg/kg) or vehicle 3 times per week for 3 weeks.

JAK2-STAT3 blockade by AG490 suppresses autoimmune arthritis in mice via reciprocal regulation of regulatory T Cells and Th17 cells.

IL-6-mediated STAT3 signaling is essential for Th17 differentiation and plays a central role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the antirheumatic effects and T cell regulatory effects of STAT3 inhibition, we studied the effects of the JAK 2 inhibitor AG490 on Th17 cell/regulatory T cell (Treg) balance and osteoclastogenesis. AG490 was administered to mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) via i.

Intravenous immunoglobulin attenuates experimental autoimmune arthritis by inducing reciprocal regulation of Th17 and Treg cells in an interleukin-10-dependent manner.

Objective: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is used as a therapeutic agent in various autoimmune diseases. The aims of this study were to investigate the therapeutic effects of IVIG on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and identify the mechanism responsible for any therapeutic effects.

Methods: IVIG was administered to mice with CIA, and the in vivo effects were determined.

Gene associated with retinoid-interferon-induced mortality 19 attenuates murine autoimmune arthritis by regulation of th17 and treg cells.

Objective: STAT-3 is a key transcriptional factor in the interleukin-6 (IL-6)-mediated differentiation of Th17 cells. Because Th17 is believed to be a central player in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we sought to evaluate whether an endogenous inhibitor of the STAT3 gene, GRIM-19 (gene associated with retinoid-interferon-induced mortality 19), could attenuate the progression and severity of murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) through suppression of Th17 cells and, reciprocally, could increase expression of Treg cells.

Methods: Overexpression of GRIM-19 was produced either by intravenous/intramuscular administration of a GRIM-19 overexpression vector in DBA1/J mice or by development of GRIM-19-transgenic (Tg) mice on a C57BL/6 background.

In vivo action of IL-27: reciprocal regulation of Th17 and Treg cells in collagen-induced arthritis.

Interleukin (IL)-27 is a novel cytokine of the IL-6/IL-12 family that has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and has a pivotal role as both a pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine. We investigated the in vivo effects of IL-27 on arthritis severity in a murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model and its mechanism of action regarding control of regulatory T (Tregs) and IL-17-producing T helper 17 (Th17) cells. IL-27-Fc-treated CIA mice showed a lower severity of arthritis.

IL-17-mediated Bcl-2 expression regulates survival of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis through STAT3 activation.

Introduction: Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) are a major cell population of the pannus that invades adjacent cartilage and bone in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study was undertaken to determine the effect of interleukin-17 (IL-17) on the survival and/or proliferation of FLSs from RA patients and to investigate whether signal tranducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is implicated in this process.

Methods: Bcl-2 and Bax expression in FLSs was determined using the real-time PCR and western blot analysis.

p53 controls autoimmune arthritis via STAT-mediated regulation of the Th17 cell/Treg cell balance in mice.

Objective: To investigate the connection between p53 and interleukin-17-producing Th17 cell/Treg cell balance in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Th17 cell and Treg cell frequencies were analyzed by flow cytometry, and cytokine levels in the supernatant were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The expression of transcription factors was analyzed by immunostaining and Western blotting, and the interactions between p53 and STAT-3 or STAT-5 were determined by immunoprecipitation-Western blot analysis.

Interleukin-2/anti-interleukin-2 monoclonal antibody immune complex suppresses collagen-induced arthritis in mice by fortifying interleukin-2/STAT5 signalling pathways.

In this study, we investigated the effects of administration of interleukin-2 (IL-2)/JES6-1 (anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibody) immune complexes on the expansion and activation of regulatory T (Treg) cells, the down-regulation of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells, and the control of the severity of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Wild-type and CIA-induced wild-type mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.