Plasma Cells Express the Novel Cytokine Interleukin-36α in Psoriatic and Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovium

Anja Derer¹, Silke Frey², Maria-Elena Messbacher², Serena Bugatti³, Dominique L. Baeten⁴, Carlomaurizio Montecucco⁵, Georg A. Schett¹ and Axel J. Hueber⁶, ¹Dept of Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany, ²Internal Medicine 3, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany, ³Rheumatology and Translational Immunology Research Laboratories (LaRIT), Division of Rheumatology, IRCCS Policlinico S.Matteo Foundation/University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy, ⁴Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands, ⁵Division of Rheumatology, University of Pavia School of Medicine, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy, ⁶Department of Internal Medicine 3, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany

Meeting: 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

Keywords: interleukins (IL)

Session Information

Title: Cytokines, Mediators, and Gene Regulation

Session Type: Abstract Submissions (ACR)

Background/Purpose: IL-36α is a recent described IL-1 cytokine family member with proinflammatory and clear pathogenic properties in psoriasis. Aim of this study was to determine IL-36α expression in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared to rheumatoid (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Synovial tissue gathered from arthritis patients were stained for IL-36α, IL-36 receptor (IL-36R) and IL-36R antagonist (IL-36Ra) by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Lysates were tested for IL-36α by western blot analysis. Synovial fibroblasts (FLS) stimulated with IL-36α were assessed for cytokine expression.

Results: The IL-36R and its ligands IL-36α and IL-36Ra could be detected in inflammatory arthritis in the synovial lining layer as well as cellular infiltrates. IL-36α was significantly higher expressed in PsA and RA synovium compared to OA (p=0.0011 and p<0.0001, respectively). No differences were seen in IL-36R and IL-36Ra. The expression of IL-36α was confirmed by western blot analysis. IL-36α induced expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in FLS. CD138-positive plasma cells were determined as major cellular source for IL-36α.

Conclusion: We described that the novel cytokine IL-36α is upregulated in PsA and RA synovium mainly expressed by plasma cells. This insight needs further studies to determine if the IL-36 family can function as a potential target for arthritis therapy.

Disclosure:

A. Derer,
None;

S. Frey,
None;

M. E. Messbacher,
None;

S. Bugatti,
None;

D. L. Baeten,
None;

C. Montecucco,
None;

G. A. Schett,
None;

A. J. Hueber,
None.

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