IL-15 Expression in Rheumatoid Arthritis and TNF Blockade
Author Information
Author(s): Ernestam Sofia, Klint Erik, Catrina Anca Irinel, Sundberg Erik, Engström Marianne, Klareskog Lars, Ulfgren Ann-Kristin
Primary Institution: Karolinska University Hospital
Hypothesis
Does TNF blockade influence the synovial expression of IL-15 in rheumatoid arthritis?
Conclusion
The study found that IL-15 expression in rheumatoid arthritis was not significantly affected by TNF blockade.
Supporting Evidence
- IL-15 was detected in all synovial biopsies at baseline.
- After infliximab treatment, IL-15 expression increased in four patients and decreased in five.
- The number of CD68-positive synovial cells significantly decreased after treatment.
Takeaway
This study looked at how a treatment for arthritis affects a specific protein called IL-15, and it found that the treatment didn't change the amount of IL-15 in the patients' joints.
Methodology
Nine patients with rheumatoid arthritis underwent two arthroscopies for synovial biopsies before and after infliximab treatment, with analysis of IL-15 expression using immunohistochemistry.
Potential Biases
The clinical setting of biopsy sampling could introduce timing-related biases.
Limitations
The study's small sample size and potential bias in biopsy timing may affect the results.
Participant Demographics
Nine patients (7 females, 2 males) with a median age of 57 years and a median disease duration of 6 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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