Expression of IGF-1, IL-27 and IL-35 Receptors in Adjuvant Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis Model

• Main Authors: Elham Abdi, Hamid Najafipour, Siyavash Joukar, Shahriar Dabiri, Saeed Esmaeli-Mahani, Elham Abbasloo, Nasrin Houshmandi, Abbas Afsharipour
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 2018-03-01
• Series: Iranian Journal of Immunology
• Online Access: http://iji.sums.ac.ir/article_39337_48604e5d63802c2db190b7ac43b401e5.pdf
• ISSN: 1735-1383; 1735-367X

<strong>Background:</strong> IGF-1 and certain other cytokines have been shown to exert inflammatory/anti-inflammatory roles in chronic joint diseases. <strong>Objective:</strong> To assess the effect of IGF-1, IL-27 and IL-35, their interaction and their receptor expression in a rheumatoid arthritis model. <strong>Methods:</strong> Freund’s adjuvant-induced chronic joint inflammation was operated on 160 male rats. Animals were divided into histopathology and receptor expression groups, each composed of 10 subgroups including; control, vehicle, IGF-1, IL-27, IL-35, their antagonists, IGF-1+IL-27 antagonist and IGF-1+IL-35 antagonist. After two weeks, vehicle or agonist/antagonists were injected into the joint space every other day until day 28 where joint histopathology was performed. The expression of IGF-1, IL-27 and IL-35 receptors were assessed by western blot analysis. <strong>Results:</strong> IGF-1 did not show pro- or anti- inflammatory functions; endogenous IL-27 and IL-35, on the other hand, exerted inflammatory effects. IL-27 and IL-35 antagonists exerted the highest anti-inflammatory effects. The total inflammation scores were 0.55 ± 0.06, 4.63 ± 0.40, 3.63 ± 0.60, 2.50 ± 0.38 and 1.63 ± 0.40 regarding control, vehicle, IGF-1 Ant., IL-27 Ant. and IL-35Ant., respectively. IGF-1 receptor expression was reduced in chronic joint inflammation and all three antagonists augmented the IGF-1 receptor expression. IL-27 and IL-35 receptors were up-regulated by chronic joint inflammation. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Overall, the results demonstrated the pro-inflammatory role of endogenous IL-27 and IL-35 along with the over expression of their receptors in chronic joint inflammation. IL-27 and IL-35 antagonists exerted the most anti-inflammatory effects and increased IGF-1 receptor expression. These two antagonists may be potential agents for new treatment strategies in chronic joint inflammatory diseases.