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Published on: January 2, 2017
Detection of circulating Fc epsilon R2/CD23+ monocytes in patients with rheumatic diseases
1Third Medicine Clinic and Poliklinik, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Germany.
Insights
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) induces Fc epsilon R2/CD23 on monocytes. Elevated Fc epsilon R2/CD23+ monocytes are found in progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and other rheumatic diseases, suggesting IL-4
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is known to induce Fc epsilon R2/CD23 expression on monocytes in vitro.
- The role of IL-4 and monocyte interactions in rheumatic diseases requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction of IL-4 and monocytes in patients with rheumatic diseases.
- To determine the frequency of Fc epsilon R2/CD23+ monocytes in various rheumatic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was employed to quantify Fc epsilon R2/CD23+ monocytes.
- Analysis included patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Monocyte-activating capacity of supernatants from PSS patient cells was assessed.
Main Results:
- Elevated numbers of circulating Fc epsilon R2/CD23+ monocytes were observed in PSS patients compared to controls.
- Supernatants from PSS patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed enhanced ability to induce Fc epsilon R2/CD23 on CD14+ monocytes.
- Increased Fc epsilon R2/CD23+ monocyte frequency was also noted in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, correlating with disease activity.
Conclusions:
- IL-4 plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of PSS through monocyte activation.
- IL-4 may also contribute to monocyte activation in other rheumatic diseases.
- Fc epsilon R2/CD23+ monocytes serve as potential biomarkers for disease activity in rheumatic conditions.
Abstract:
Recently, in vitro studies have demonstrated that expression of Fc epsilon R2/CD23 on normal monocytes can be specifically induced by IL-4. In order to investigate the interaction of IL-4 and monocytes in rheumatic diseases, flow cytometry studies were performed. Elevated numbers of circulating Fc epsilon R2/CD23+ monocytes were detected in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) as compared with controls. In addition, supernatants derived from phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of PSS patients contained high activity to induce Fc epsilon R2/CD23 on CD14+ monocytes. An increased frequency of Fc epsilon R2/CD23+ monocytes was also observed in rheumatoid arthritis, and sequential studies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus showed a close relationship between Fc epsilon R2/CD23+ monocytes and disease activity. It is suggested that IL-4 has an important role in the pathogenesis of PSS by activating monocytes, and might also contribute to monocyte activation in other rheumatic diseases.
