IL-17A and TNF synergistically drive expression of proinflammatory mediators in synovial fibroblasts via IκBζ-dependent induction of ELF3.

Objective: IL-17A and TNF act in synergy to induce proinflammatory mediators in synovial fibroblasts thus contributing to diseases associated with chronic arthritis. Many of these factors are regulated by transcription factor E74-like factor-3 (ELF3). Therefore, we sought to investigate ELF3 as a downstream target of IL-17A and TNF signalling and to characterize its role in the molecular mechanism of synergy between IL-17A and TNF.

DEC2 Blocks the Effect of the ARNTL2/NPAS2 Dimer on the Expression of PER3 and DBP.

The expression of clock genes and are disturbed in rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease with circadian variation of symptoms. We have shown that TNF is a potent inducer of these genes. We investigated the regulation of and by TNF and elucidated their effect on other clock gene expressions.

Serum Epstein-Barr virus DNA, detected by droplet digital PCR, correlates with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of asymptomatic activation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to analyse the correlation of serum EBV DNA with the disease activity.

Methods: The level of EBV DNA was determined by droplet digital PCR assay from the serum of 46 DMARD naive early RA (ERA) and 22 chronic RA (CRA)-patients at study onset. Follow-up samples from 31 ERA and 16 CRA patients were obtained after starting or modifying the anti-rheumatic treatment.

Differentially Expressed in Chondrocytes 2 (DEC2) Increases the Expression of IL-1β and Is Abundantly Present in Synovial Membrane in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have altered circadian rhythm of circulating serum cortisol, melatonin and IL-6, as well as disturbance in the expression of clock genes ARNTL2 and NPAS2. In humans, TNFα increases the expression ARNTL2 and NPAS2 but paradoxically suppresses clock output genes DPB and PER3. Our objective was to investigate the expression of direct clock suppressors DEC1 and DEC2 (BHLHE 40 and 41 proteins) in response to TNFα and investigate their role during inflammation.

Characterization of macrophage polarizing cytokines in the aseptic loosening of total hip replacements.

Aseptic loosening of hip replacements is driven by the macrophage reaction to wear particles. The extent of particle-induced macrophage activation is dependent on the state of macrophage polarization, which is dictated by the local cytokine microenvironment. The aim of the study was to characterize cytokine microenvironment surrounding failed, loose hip replacements with an emphasis on identification of cytokines that regulate macrophage polarization.

Neutrophils produce interleukin-17B in rheumatoid synovial tissue.

Objective: T helper 17 (Th17) and mast cells produce IL-17A in RA and critically contribute to the pathogenesis of RA. However, the complete IL-17 cytokine profile in RA is unknown. The aim of the study was to systematically study the expression of IL-17 family cytokines in RA.

Circadian timekeeping is disturbed in rheumatoid arthritis at molecular level.

Introduction: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. These are reflected in altered circadian rhythm of circulating serum cortisol, melatonin and IL-6 levels and in chronic fatigue. We hypothesized that the molecular machinery responsible for the circadian timekeeping is perturbed in RA.