Expression pattern of toll like receptors-2, -4 on the surface of monocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the role of toll like receptors-2 and toll like receptors-4 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Methods The expression rate and intensity of TLR2 and TLR4 on the CD14 positive monocytes in peripheral blood (PBMC) of 32 RA patients were determined by multi-colore immunofluorescence flow cytometry. Results ①The expression rate and intensity of TLR2 and TLR4 on the CD14 positive monocytes in peripheral blood of RA patients were higher than that of normal control. ② There was no difference in the expression pattern between the early stage RA group and the late stage RA group. ③The intensity of TLR2, but not TLR4 was correlated with serum CRP level. Conclusion The results indicate that innate immunomolecules such as TLR2 and TLR4 may be involved both in the initiation stage and perpetuating stage of RA.