Cytokine concentration changes in selected brain regions of adjuvant-induced Rheumatoid Arthritis Lewis Rats

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Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease which can cause inflammation in joints, bone damage, as well as disability. A reported symptom of RA includes cognitive dysfunction. This study aimed to measure brain inflammatory markers in an adjuvant-induced Lewis Rat model of RA. Age- and sex-matched rats (n=16) were separated into 2 groups: control and RA. Arthritic intensity was scored based on physical examination of the four paws. Twenty-eight days after the adjuvant injection, groups were sacrificed and the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and cerebellum dissected using the stereotaxic atlas of Paximos and Watson as a guide. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-23, and the anti-inflammatory IL-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in tissue homogenates. The results indicate RA significantly (p<0.05) increased the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the amygdala and cerebellum. IL-6 increased in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus with a concomitant decrease in IL-10. These data provides evidence that adjuvant-induced RA alters the inflammation status of these brain regions. The results are useful in the development of novel drug therapies for the millions of RA patients at risk of developing mood changes, memory loss, and other cognitive deficits.

Authors

• Han Yang, University of the Incarnate Word

• Amelia J. Stinson, University of the Incarnate Word

• Carlos A. Garcia, University of the Incarnate Word