Upregulated Expression of Runt-Related Transcription Factor ۳ and Interferon Regulatory Factor ۴ Genes in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a debilitating autoimmune disease presented by chronic inflammation of large joints and central skeleton. The role of various immune cells including T cell subsets has been studied in the pathogenesis of AS. Two critical transcription factors, runt-related transcription factor ۳ (RUNX۳) and interferon regulatory factor ۴ (IRF۴), have been shown to be involved in the differentiation and function of T lymphocytes. This study aimed to compare the gene expression level of RUNX۳ and IRF۴ between patients with ankylosing spondylitis and healthy subjects to understand the impact of these factors in the immunopathogenesis of the disease. Method: Thirty patients with AS and ۳۰ age and gender-matched healthy individuals were recruited to the study and expression of RUNX۳ and IRF۴ genes was evaluated using the RT-PCR technique in their peripheral blood. Results: The expression of RUNX۳ and IRF۴ genes in AS patients were significantly upregulated compared to the healthy controls (P.value: ۰.۰۳ and ۰.۰۲۵ respectively). In addition, there was a direct correlation between IRF۴ gene expression and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Global Score (BAS-G) (Correlation Coefficient = ۰.۳۸, P.value: ۰.۰۴) Conclusion: Gene expression of transcription factors RUNX۳ and IRF۴, which are involved in the differentiation and function of T cells, was increased in ankylosing spondylitis. These findings might have prognostic and therapeutic value.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ankylosing Spondylitis ، Interferon Regulatory Factors ۴ ، Quality of life ، Runt-Related Transcription Factor ۳