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ABSTRACT: Objectives
Since lipid compounds are known to modulate the function of CD4+ T-cells and macrophages, we hypothesize that altered levels of serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) may underlie rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis.Methods
Serum levels of NEFA (palmitic, stearic, palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic, ?-linoleic, arachidonic -AA-, linolenic, eicosapentaenoic -EPA- and docosahexaenoic -DHA-) were quantified by LC-MS/MS after methyl-tert-butylether (MTBE)-extraction in 124 RA patients and 56 healthy controls (HC). CD4+ phenotype was studied by flow cytometry. TNF?, IL-8, VEGF, GM-CSF, IFN?, IL-17, CCL2, CXCL10, leptin and resistin serum levels were quantified by immunoassays. The effect of FA on IFN? production by PBMC was evaluated in vitro.Results
Lower levels of palmitic (p<0.0001), palmitoleic (p = 0.002), oleic (p = 0.010), arachidonic (p = 0.027), EPA (p<0.0001) and DHA (p<0.0001) were found in RA patients, some NEFA being altered at onset. Cluster analysis identified a NEFA profile (hallmarked by increased stearic and decreased EPA and DHA) overrepresented in RA patients compared to HC (p = 0.002), being associated with clinical features (RF, shared epitope and erosions), increased IFN? expression in CD4+ T-cells (p = 0.002) and a Th1-enriched serum milieu (IFN?, CCL2 and CXCL10, all p<0.005). In vitro assays demonstrated that imbalanced FA could underlie IFN? production by CD4+ T-cells. Finally, changes on NEFA levels were associated with clinical response upon TNF?-blockade.Conclusion
An altered NEFA profile can be found in RA patients associated with clinical characteristics of aggressive disease and enhanced Th1 response. These results support the relevance of lipidomic studies in RA and provide a rationale for new therapeutic targets.
SUBMITTER: Rodriguez-Carrio J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4972416 | biostudies-literature | 2016
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Rodríguez-Carrio Javier J Alperi-López Mercedes M López Patricia P Ballina-García Francisco Javier FJ Suárez Ana A
PloS one 20160803 8
<h4>Objectives</h4>Since lipid compounds are known to modulate the function of CD4+ T-cells and macrophages, we hypothesize that altered levels of serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) may underlie rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis.<h4>Methods</h4>Serum levels of NEFA (palmitic, stearic, palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic, γ-linoleic, arachidonic -AA-, linolenic, eicosapentaenoic -EPA- and docosahexaenoic -DHA-) were quantified by LC-MS/MS after methyl-tert-butylether (MTBE)-extraction in 124 R ...[more]