Modulation of IL-6 receptor/STAT3 downstream signaling in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a relevant cytokine in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis, potentially activating Janus kinases (JAK)-1, -2, and tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), and thus, three signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1, -3 or - 5 pathways. This pilot study aims to explore differences in phosphorylated (p)STAT3 levels among patients with RA, those not classified as RA (nRA), and healthy donors (HD), providing some clues on the relative contribution of each JAK protein to the downstream of the IL-6-induced STAT3 pathway. Clinical data and blood samples from 80 subjects (41 RA, 14 nRA, and 25 HD) were collected.

High CD14+ peripheral monocytes expression of ALX/FPR2 and BLT1 in low disease activity and remission status in rheumatoid arthritis: a piltot study.

Objectives: Specialised pro-resolving mediator (SPM) can dampen the acute inflammation through ERV1, ALX/FPR2 and BLT1 cell receptors and it is conceivable that their expression is dysregulated during chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of ERV1, ALX/FPR2 and BLT1 on peripheral blood (PB) cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: At baseline, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), clinimetric indexes (28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) and clinical disease activity index (CDAI)), and PB samples were collected from 33 RA patients.

Body mass index and adipokines/cytokines dysregulation in systemic sclerosis.

Body fat has regulatory functions through producing cytokines and adipokines whose role in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is currently emerging. Changes in body mass, either over- or underweight, entail a dysregulation of the cytokine/adipokine network that may impact upon SSc disease activity. We evaluated serum levels of adipokines and cytokines in SSc patients and correlated them to clinical features and body mass index (BMI) categories.