Ustekinumab therapy changes the transcriptional activity pattern of TGF-β1-3 genes.

Introduction: One of the examples of genes whose expression can be altered by the action of ustekinumab is TGF-β. It is a pleiotropic cytokine whose activity affects psoriatic changes and the state of homeostasis of the whole organism.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of ustekinumab on the transcriptional activity of TGF-β family genes in patients with psoriatic arthritis and to check whether the results obtained can be helpful in monitoring the progress of treatment.

Material And Methods: From total PBMCs obtained from peripheral blood of 14 patients with psoriatic arthritis, total RNA was isolated. The expression level of the ββ and β genes was determined by RT-qPCR in real time.

Results: In all the analysed samples, the presence of mRNA of three TGF-β isoforms was quantitated in each week of therapy. β and the smallest β showed the highest expression. Statistically significant correlations were observed in the amount of β and β/µg mRNA RNA, β and β/µg RNA and β and β/µg RNA.

Conclusions: Ustekinumab influences the transcriptional activity of TGF-β genes, and the changes caused have a bearing on the patient's health.