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A possible role for TSLP in inflammatory arthritis
Kensuke Koyama1, Tetsuro Ozawa, Kyosuke Hatsushika
1Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|April 10, 2007
Summary
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is elevated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and contributes to inflammatory arthritis. Targeting TSLP may offer new therapeutic strategies for RA and similar inflammatory conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an IL-7-like cytokine.
- TSLP is a key mediator of Th2-type allergic inflammation.
- Its role in non-allergic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TSLP in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Main Methods:
- Quantified TSLP and TNF-alpha levels in synovial fluid from RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients.
- Examined TNF-alpha-induced TSLP expression in synovial fibroblasts.
- Assessed the therapeutic effect of anti-TSLP antibody in a mouse model of experimental arthritis.
Main Results:
- Elevated TSLP and TNF-alpha levels were observed in RA synovial fluid compared to OA.
- TNF-alpha upregulated TSLP expression in synovial fibroblasts, an effect inhibited by IFN-gamma.
- Anti-TSLP antibody treatment ameliorated TNF-alpha-dependent experimental arthritis in mice.
Conclusions:
- TSLP is a downstream mediator of TNF-alpha in inflammatory arthritis.
- TSLP may contribute to the pathogenesis of RA and other inflammatory arthritides.
- TSLP represents a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory arthritis beyond allergic diseases.
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