Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- Elham Abdi 1
- Hamid Najafipour 2
- Siyavash Joukar 2
- Shahriar Dabiri 3
- Saeed Esmaeli-Mahani 4
- Elham Abbasloo 5
- Nasrin Houshmandi 1
- Abbas Afsharipour 6
1 Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2 Cardiovascular Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3 Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
4 Department of Biology, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
5 Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
6 Gastroenterology and Hepathology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Background: IGF-1 and certain other cytokines have been shown to exert inflammatory/anti-inflammatory roles in chronic joint diseases. Objective: To assess the effect of IGF-1, IL-27 and IL-35, their interaction and their receptor expression in a rheumatoid arthritis model. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.
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