Elevated Th22 cells correlated with Th17 cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

T-helper (Th) 22 and Th17 cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The roles of Th22 cells in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain unsettled.

CD4(+)IFNγ(-)IL17(-)IL-22(+) T cells (Th22 cells), CD4(+)IFNγ(-)IL-22(-)IL17(+) T cells (pure Th17 cells), CD4(+)IL17(+) T cells (Th17 cells), and CD4(+)IFNγ(+) T cells (Th1 cells) in RA, osteoarthritis patients, and healthy controls were examined by flow cytometry. Plasma IL-22 and IL-17 levels were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Th22 cells, pure Th17 cells, Th17 cells, and interleukin-22 were significantly elevated in RA patients compared with osteoarthritis and healthy controls, but there were no significant differences regarding Th1 cells and interleukin-17. Th22 cells showed a positive correlation with interleukin-22 as well as pure Th17 cells or Th17 cells in RA patients. Additionally, the percentages of Th22 cells, pure Th17 cells as well as Th17 cells correlated positively with both C-reactive protein levels and 28-joints disease activity score.

Together, our results indicated a possible role of Th22 pure Th17 cells and Th17 cells in RA, and blockade of the interleukin-22 may be a reasonable therapeutic strategy for RA.