EXPRESSION OF TOLL-LIKE RECEPTORS 4 ON CD14 + MONOCYTES IN JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS

The aim: The work is aimed at determining the relationship between TLR4 expression on CD14+monocytes in whole heparinized blood and B1a lymphocyte synthesis in various subtypes of JIA.

Materials and methods: 64children aged3to17years were examined, including42children with different subtypes of JIA and22healthy children. The intensity of TLR4 expression onCD14+monocytes was determined in whole heparinized blood incubated with a CD14-FITC/TLR4-PE monoclonal antibody cocktail(Biolegend, USA)using flow cytometry. Monoclonal antibodies (BD Bioscience) were used to determine the main subpopulations of lymphocytes.

Results: A statistically significant increase in TLR4 expression has been determined in JIA compared to the control group. The most prominent TLR4 expression was detected in children with oligoarthritis, while in systemic arthritis, there was no statistical difference compared to healthy children. High TLR4 expression on peripheral CD14+monocytes inversely depends on the activity of the autoimmune process, which may have a protective effect against the aseptic inflammation.Increased TLR4 expression involves a statis¬tically significant increase in the percentage and quantity of В1а lymphocytes(p≤0.05).

Conclusions: A statistically significant increase in TLR4 expression on CD14+monocytes in whole heparinized blood was detected in patients with JIA compared to healthy children. Children with oligoarthritis had the highest rates, which indicates possible differences in the development of pathogenetic processes in different subtypes of arthritis. Determining the degree of TLR4 activation on CD14+monocytes is reasonable for predicting JIA activity.