Rheumatoid arthritis and the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory joint disease. Various proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of this chronic disorder. It is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies, such as rheumatoid factor and antibodies against citrullinated peptides. The present study focuses on investigation of possible association between the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 17 and anti-CCP, anti-MCV, and anti-CarP antibodies seropositivity in RA patients.

To assess serum levels of interleukin 17 (IL-17) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls (HC) and to investigate the relationship between IL-17 and anti-cyclic citrullinated protein (anti-CCP) antibodies, antimutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) antibodies, and anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies in patients with RA.

Forty-seven patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and 44 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum IL-17 levels were examined in all participants. Anti-CCP, anti-MCV, and anti-CarP antibodies were tested in the group of RA patients.

The mean serum level of IL-17 in RA patients was higher (12.8 pg/ml) than that in healthy controls (7.9 pg/ml), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.276). No significant correlation was observed between anti-CCP (+/-) and IL-17 (rs=0.162, p=0.380), and between anti-MCV (+/-) and IL-17 (rs=0.157, p=0.340). A significant positive correlation of moderate value was reported between anti-CarP (+/-) and IL-17 (rs=0.388, p=0.015).

The present study demonstrated that the IL-17 serum levels in RA patients were increased compared to healthy controls. No correlation was found between ACPA immunological markers and IL-17 levels in patients with RA. A positive correlation was found between anti-CarP antibodies and IL-17 in the patients' group. The increased level of IL-17 is suggestive of its possible role in the pathogenesis of CarP positive RA patients.