The expression of TIPE2 and its role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis
Objective To investigate the expression of TIPE2 in splenic lymphocytes derived from the mouse model of cattle collagen Ⅱ-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) and from peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for its role in the pathogenesis of RA.Methods The CIA mouse model was established by immunization of DBA-1/J mice with cattle collagen Ⅱ.Peripheral blood lymphocytes were collected from RA patients and healthy donors.The TIPE2 mRNA and protein expression in splenocytes of CIA and control mice were measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot,respectively.In addition,fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the TIPE2 mRNA and protein expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes derived from patients with RA and healthy donors.Results Both mRNA and protein expression of TIPE2 were higher in splenocytes of CIA mice and lymphocytes of peripheral blood from RA patients compared with corresponding controls.Furthermore,the mRNA and protein expression of TIPE2 increased significantly in patients with active RA.TIPE2 expression were positively correlated with DAS28 scores (P＜0.001).Conclusion Our results suggest that TIPE2 plays a role in the RA pathogenesis.The level of TIPE2 may also indicate the severity of rheumatoid arthritis. 
 
Key words: 
Rheumatoid arthritis; TIPE2; Autoimmune disease; Collagen induced arthritis model