The study of interleukin-23 and rheumatoid factor expression in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: To detect the expression of interleukin(IL)-23 and rheumatoid factor(RF) in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) patients and to explore the role of IL-23 in the pathogenesis of RA and its relationship with the RF,for early diagnosis of RA and further clarify the pathogenesis of RA provides theoretical basis.Methods: IL-23p19 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) of 66 RA patients and 44 healthy controls was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),serum IL-23 concentration were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),serum RF concentrations were measured by immunoturbidimetry.Results: RT-PCR showed IL-23p19 mRNA expression in PBMC of RA patients [(45.2±11.7)%] was significantly higher than that of healthy controls [(23.8±9.5)%],ELISA results showed IL-23 concentration in serum of RA patients [(114.47±42.70) ng/L] was significantly higher than that in healthy controls [(70.81±28.85) ng/L],the differences were significant(P0.05),but IL-23 and RF showed no significant correlation(r=0.389,P0.05).Conclusion: IL-23 in gene and protein levels in RA patients are over-expression,suggesting that IL-23 may be involved in the immune pathogenesis of RA and play the role in the pathogenesis of RA.