A Valli1, N Ranta1,2, A Grönholm1,2, O Silvennoinen1,3, M Pesu1,2,4, P Isomäki1,5. 1. a Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences , University of Tampere , Tampere , Finland. 2. b BioMediTech , Tampere , Finland. 3. c Fimlab Laboratories , Tampere , Finland. 4. d Department of Dermatology , Tampere University Hospital , Tampere , Finland. 5. e Department of Internal Medicine, Centre for Rheumatic Diseases , Tampere University Hospital , Tampere , Finland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: FURIN is a proprotein convertase enzyme that inhibits the proinflammatory function of T cells and myeloid cells. Elevated FURIN expression levels have been reported in immune-mediated diseases, such as primary Sjögren's syndrome. Here, we investigated the levels of FURIN in peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) leucocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD: FURIN mRNA expression in PB and SF cells was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and FURIN plasma levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associations between FURIN levels and demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were determined. RESULTS: FURIN levels were significantly elevated in PB and SF mononuclear cells, T cells, and monocytes from RA patients compared to healthy controls. High FURIN levels were significantly associated with the prevailing prednisolone treatment, higher prednisolone doses, and increased C-reactive protein levels and Health Assessment Questionnaire values. CONCLUSION: FURIN is significantly upregulated in RA PB and SF leucocytes, suggesting that it may have a role in the pathogenesis of RA. In addition, our results suggest that elevated FURIN expression is associated with the indicators of more severe RA.
OBJECTIVE:FURIN is a proprotein convertase enzyme that inhibits the proinflammatory function of T cells and myeloid cells. Elevated FURIN expression levels have been reported in immune-mediated diseases, such as primary Sjögren's syndrome. Here, we investigated the levels of FURIN in peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) leucocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD:FURIN mRNA expression in PB and SF cells was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and FURIN plasma levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associations between FURIN levels and demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were determined. RESULTS:FURIN levels were significantly elevated in PB and SF mononuclear cells, T cells, and monocytes from RApatients compared to healthy controls. High FURIN levels were significantly associated with the prevailing prednisolone treatment, higher prednisolone doses, and increased C-reactive protein levels and Health Assessment Questionnaire values. CONCLUSION:FURIN is significantly upregulated in RA PB and SF leucocytes, suggesting that it may have a role in the pathogenesis of RA. In addition, our results suggest that elevated FURIN expression is associated with the indicators of more severe RA.
Authors: Thomas Graier; Nicole Golob-Schwarzl; Wolfgang Weger; Theresa Benezeder; Clemens Painsi; Wolfgang Salmhofer; Peter Wolf Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2021-02-10